*. 


I 


%. 


J  363 


DATE  DUE 

UNIVERSITY    LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 

AT 

AMHERST 


F 

74 
SI 
P99 


THE    DIARY 


WILLIAM    PYNCHON 

OF   SALEM 


A  PICTURE    OF  SALEM  LIFE,  SOCIAL  AND 
POLITICAL,  A  CENTURY  AGO 


EDITED   BY 

FITCH    EDWARD    OLIVER 

MEMBER   OF   THE    MASSACHUSETTS   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY 


BOSTON  AND   NEW   YORK 

HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN   AND   COMPANY 

C&e  HttoereiUie  Pass,  CambriUffe 

1890 


LIBRARY 

UNWE8SKY  OF 
MASSACHUSETTS 

AMHERST,  MASS. 


Copyright,  1890, 
By  FITCH  EDWARD  OLIVER. 

All  rights  reserved. 


prmteU  b?  $.  <©.  $ou0ftton  &  Co.,  Cambribge,  jJEasa.,  ®.  &.  *» 


ERRATA. 

On  page  19,  note,  for  Daye,  read  "  Dodge." 
On  page  26,  note,  for  Gardiner,  read  "  Gardner." 


PREFATORY    NOTE. 


The  compliance  of  the  editor  with  a  request  often 
urged,  that  the  Diary  of  Mr.  Pynchon  be  put  in  a  more 
permanent  form,  has  led  to  the  publication  of  the  pre- 
sent volume.  Written  in  Salem  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  the  years  immediately  succeeding,  this 
journal  may  serve  to  bring  to  view  the  persons  and 
scenes  of  that  memorable  period.  Those  especially  who 
have  associations  with  the  Salem  of  the  past  may  learn 
from  this  record  something  of  its  earlier  social  as  well  as 
political  history,  and  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
time. 

The  Diary  covers  the  whole  period,  with  the  exception 
of  the  year  1779  and  four  months  of  the  year  1780,  from 
near  the  opening  of  the  war  to  the  final  establishment 
of  our  nationality.  Beginning  with  the  year  1776,  the 
last  entry  was  in  March,  1789,  a  little  more  than  a  month 
before  the  inauguration  of  Washington.  Although  not, 
perhaps,  of  great  historical  value,  it  contains  many  items 
of  local  and  general  interest,  not  to  be  found  elsewhere. 
The  political,  and  sometimes  unpopular,  sentiments  oc- 
casionally expressed  by  the  author,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered, were  uttered  at  a  time  when  there  were  wide  and 


—      -  t*t»a  .A***m*tm 


i 


Copyright,  1890, 
By  FITCH  EDWARD  OLIVER. 

All  rights  reserved. 


printed  bn  t}.  O.  Ooujjbton  &  Co.,  Cambnbge,  jffilass.,  P.  &.  ?t. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


The  compliance  of  the  editor  with  a  request  often 
urged,  that  the  Diary  of  Mr.  Pynchon  be  put  in  a  more 
permanent  form,  has  led  to  the  publication  of  the  pre- 
sent volume.  Written  in  Salem  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  the  years  immediately  succeeding,  this 
journal  may  serve  to  bring  to  view  the  persons  and 
scenes  of  that  memorable  period.  Those  especially  who 
have  associations  with  the  Salem  of  the  past  may  learn 
from  this  record  something  of  its  earlier  social  as  well  as 
political  history,  and  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
time. 

The  Diary  covers  the  whole  period,  with  the  exception 
of  the  year  1779  and  four  months  of  the  year  1780,  from 
near  the  opening  of  the  war  to  the  final  establishment 
of  our  nationality.  Beginning  with  the  year  1776,  the 
last  entry  was  in  March,  1789,  a  little  more  than  a  month 
before  the  inauguration  of  Washington.  Although  not, 
perhaps,  of  great  historical  value,  it  contains  many  items 
of  local  and  general  interest,  not  to  be  found  elsewhere. 
The  political,  and  sometimes  unpopular,  sentiments  oc- 
casionally expressed  by  the  author,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered, were  uttered  at  a  time  when  there  were  wide  and 


i  V  PRE  FA  TOR  Y  NO  TE. 

honest  differences,  among  all  classes,  on  the  great  ques- 
tions of  that  day,  and  were,  moreover,  not  intended  for 
the  public  eye. 

The  editor  begs  to  express  his  thanks  to  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Oliver,  of  New  York,  to  the  Rev.  T.  R.  Pynchon, 
of  Hartford,  and  to  Mr.  Harrison  Ellery,  of  Boston,  for 
valuable  aid  in  the  revision  of  proofs  and  the  verifica- 
tion of  names  and  dates. 


WILLIAM   PYNCHON. 

William  Pynchon,  of  Salem,  the  author  of  the  follow- 
ing diary,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  Decem- 
ber 12,   1723.      He  was  the  son  of  William  Pynchon, 
who   married    Catherine,   a  daughter   of    Rev.    Daniel 
Brewer,  and  grandson  of  John  Pynchon,  whose  wife  was 
the  daughter  of  Rev.  William  Hubbard,  the  historian  of 
New  England.     His  great  grandfather  was  John,  who 
married  Amy,  daughter  of  Governor  Wyllys,  of  Con- 
necticut, and  whose  father  was  William  Pynchon,  one  of 
the  patentees  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and 
the  founder  of  the  town  of  Springfield.     Through  his 
mother,  Catherine  Brewer,  Mr.  Pynchon  was  descended 
from  the  Chauncys,  and  among  his  ancestors  were  many 
names  closely  connected  with  the  earlier  annals  of  New 

England. 

Since  the  settlement  of  Springfield,  the  town  had 
been  the  home  of  the  family,  and  here  Mr.  Pynchon's  boy- 
hood was  passed,  and  his  preparation  for  college  com- 
pleted.  He  entered  Harvard  College,  where  many  ot 
his  family  had  been  graduated,  in  1739,  and  received  his 
degree  in  1743,  in  the  class  with  Foster  Hutchinson, 
James  Otis,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Cooper,  with 
whom  he  seems  to  have  been  on  terms  of  intimacy 
through  life.  Two  years  after  his  graduation  he  went 
to  reside  in  Salem  with  Mitchell  Sewall,  at  that  time 
clerk  of  the  Superior  Court.  At  the  death  of  Mr.  Sewall 
he  became  an  applicant  for  the  place  now  vacant,  but 


vi  WILLIAM  PYNCHON. 

failing  to  obtain  this  appointment,  he  applied  himself 
more  assiduously  to  the  study  of  the  law,  and  commenced 
its  practice  in  Salem,  where  he  soon  became  prominent 
as  a  counsellor  and  advocate.  The  Essex  bar  at  this 
time,  as  well  as  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  noted 
for  its  learning  and  legal  ability,  and,  of  the  names  that 
gave  it  lustre,  not  the  least  conspicuous  was  that  of  Mr. 
Pynchon.  He  was  distinguished,  says  Washburn,  for 
his  skill  as  a  special  pleader,  and  as  a  counsellor  united 
great  subtlety  with  the  utmost  fairness  and  liberality. 
As  an  instructor  in  jurisprudence  he  was  remarkably 
successful,  and,  as  schools  of  law  were  then  unknown,  he 
had  many  pupils  who  owed  their  success  largely  to  his 
teachings,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  the  Hon. 
Jeremiah  Smith,  of  New  Hampshire,  afterwards  distin- 
guished on  the  Bench  and  in  the  State.  In  1774,  on  the 
death  of  Judge  Ropes,  he  became  a  candidate  for  the 
vacant  seat  on  the  Bench  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the 
Province,  which  was,  however,  filled  by  Judge  William 
Browne,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas,  whose  larger  judicial  experience  may  have  deter- 
mined the  Council  in  his  favour. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Pynchon  was  conservative, 
and  during  the  critical  period  of  the  Revolution  was  not 
always  in  harmony  with  the  popular  voice  ;  but,  if  op- 
posed at  first  to  the  war  as  a  measure  of  doubtful  expe- 
diency, he  was  in  these  views  by  no  means  alone.  "The 
eminent  lawyers  of  this  time,"  says  the  late  Ellis  Ames, 
in  a  paper  read  before  the  Historical  Society,1  "  mostly 
adhered  to  the  British  administration,  and  were  all  citi- 
zens of  great  uprightness,  integrity,  and  ability."  To 
this  respectable  class  Mr.  Pynchon  belonged,  and  no 
one  could  have  borne  the  treatment  he  received  with 

See  Society's  Proceedings,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  396. 


WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  vii 

greater  patience  and  forbearance.  He  suffered  much 
during  the  war  from  the  general  stagnation  of  business, 
and  although  he  rarely,  if  ever,  mingled  in  political  con- 
troversy, he  was  not  a  little  disturbed  by  the  hostility  of 
former  friends,  and  the  malevolence  of  party  feeling.  If 
he  is  sometimes  emphatic  in  his  language,  it  is  rather 
from  his  intolerance  of  every  species  of  political  trickery 
than  from  an  honest  difference  of  opinion  on  the  part  of 
his  opponent.  He  was  as  true  to  what  he  believed  to 
be  the  true  interests  of  his  native  country  as  any  man 
that  then  lived  ;  and  when  the  new  government  was 
finally  established,  he  accepted  it  with  all  the  heartiness 
of  a  loyal  citizen.  He  was  a  member  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  and  one  of  its  firmest  supporters,  and  the  names 
of  two  of  its  rectors,  McGilchrist  and  Fisher,  often  ap- 
pear in  the  pages  of  his  diary.  Although  decided  in  his 
religious  views,  he  was  liberally  inclined  to  those  who 
differed  from  him.  Among  his  frequent  guests  were 
men  of  every  shade  of  religious  and  political  opinion, 
and  with  many  of  the  Congregational  clergy  he  was  on 
the  most  friendly  terms.  Few  men  he  held  in  higher 
esteem  than  Dr.  Andrew  Eliot,  "  that  excellent  preacher 
and  truly  good  man,"  as  he  calls  him.  Mr.  Pynchon 
was  of  a  generous  and  kindly  nature,  given  to  hospitality, 
and  during  his  many  years  in  Salem  won  the  esteem  of 
the  community  by  his  urbanity  and  public  spirit. 

It  is  not  a  little  remarkable  that  a  name  honoured  from 
the  earliest  days  of  the  Colony,  and  now  borne  by  one, 
its  chief  representative,  who  had  passed  the  larger  part 
of  his  life  in  Salem,  eminent  in  his  profession,  and  of 
singular  purity  of  life,  should  have  been  selected  to  be 
sullied  in  the  pages  of  a  modern  romance.  A  more  re- 
pulsive character  has  rarely  been  portrayed  by  writers  of 
fiction  than  that  of  Judge  Pynchon  in  "The  House  of  the 


vin  WILLIAM  PYNCHON. 

Seven  Gables  ;  "  and  when  it  is  remembered  that  William 
Pynchon  was  the  only  one  of  the  family  who  had  ever 
resided  in  Salem,  and  that  from  his  learning,  and  fitness 
for  the  judicial  office,  he  was  sometimes  accorded  the 
title  of  Judge,  it  was  but  natural  that  the  author  of  that 
attractive  story  should  have  been  asked  for  an  explana- 
tion of  what  seemed  so  unwarrantable  a  liberty. 

In  the  following  reply  to  a  letter  addressed  to  him  by 
a  descendant  of  Mr.  Pynchon,  and  one  who  bore  his 
name,  Mr.  Hawthorne  frankly  admits  the  ground  of 
offence  to  be  a  reasonable  one,  and  expresses  regret  that 
he  should  have  been  led,  through  unfamiliarity  with  the 
later  history  of  Salem,  to  the  selection  of  an  honoured 
name  to  fasten  upon  an  "  imaginary  villain  "  :  — 

Lenox,  May  3d,  1851. 
Sir,  —  It  pains  me  to  learn  that  I  have  given  you  what  I 
am  content  to  acknowledge  a  reasonable  ground  of  offence, 
by  borrowing  the  name  of  the  Pynchon  family  for  my  fictitious 
purposes  in  "The  House  of  the  Seven  Gables."  It  never  oc- 
curred to  me,  however,  that  the  name  was  not  as  much  the 
property  of  a  romance  writer,  as  that  of  Smith,  for  instance  ; 
while  its  unhackneyed  singularity,  and  a  certain  indescribable 
fitness  to  the  tone  of  my  work,  gave  it  a  value  which  no  other 
of  the  many  sirnames,  which  suggested  themselves  to  me, 
seemed  to  possess.  Writing  the  book  at  a  distance  from 
Salem,  I  had  no  opportunity  for  consulting  ancient  records 
or  the  recollections  of  aged  persons  ;  and  I  beg  you  to  believe 
that  I  was  wholly  unaware,  until  the  receipt  of  your  letter, 
that  the  Pynchons,  at  so  recent  a  period  as  you  mention,  if  at 
any  former  one,  had  been  residents  of  that  place.  Had  this 
fact  been  within  my  knowledge,  and  especially  had  I  known 
that  any  member  of  the  family  had  borne  the  title  of  Judge,  I 
should  certainly  have  considered  it  discourteous  and  unwar- 
rantable to  make  free  with  the  name.  I  would  further  say 
that  I  intended  no  allusion  to  any  Pynchon  now  or  at   any 


WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  IX 

previous  period  extant  \  that  I  never  heard  anything  to  the 
discredit,  in  the  slightest  degree,  of  this  old  and  respectable 
race,  and  that  I  give  the  fullest  credence  to  your  testimony 
in  favour  of  your  grandfather,  Judge  Pynchon,  and  greatly 
regret  that  I  should  have  seemed  to  sully  his  honourable  name, 
by  plastering  it  upon  an  imaginary  villain. 

You  suggest  that  reparation  is  due  for  these  injuries  of  my 
pen,  but  point  out  no  mode  in  which  it  may  be  practicable.  It 
is  my  own  opinion  that  no  real  harm  has  been  done,  inasmuch 
as  I  enter  a  protest  in  the  preface  of  "  The  House  of  the  Seven 
Gables  "  against  the  narrative  and  the  personages  being  con- 
sidered as  other  than  imaginary.  But,  since  it  appears  other- 
wise to  you,  no  better  course  occurs  to  me  than  to  put  this 
letter  at  your  disposal,  to  be  used  in  such  manner  as  a  proper 
regard  for  your  family  honour  may  be  thought  to  demand. 
Respectfully,  Sir, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

Nath'l  Hawthorne. 

Mr.  Pynchon  was  married  in  1751  to  the  daughter  of 
Mitchell  Sewall,  of  Salem,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons 
and  three  daughters.  The  eldest  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
born  January  26,  1752,  married  Timothy  Orne,  Esq.; 
the  second  daughter,  Catherine,  born  February  25, 
1754,  married  William  Wetmore,  Esq.,  whose  daughter, 
by  a  second  wife,  Miss  Waldo,  married  the  late  Mr. 
Justice  Story  ;  Sarah,  the  youngest  daughter,  bom  Feb- 
ruary 6th,  1757,  married  the  Rev.  Thomas  Fitch  Oliver, 
and  died  in  March,  1832 ;  William,  the  eldest  son,  born 
July  24,  1759,  married  Martha  Elkins,  March  4,  1780, 
and  died  without  issue  ;  John,  the  youngest  son,  born 
November  27,  1766,  died  unmarried. 


THE    DIARY 


WILLIAM    PYNCHON 


1776.  y anuary  1.  Monday.  Are  they  not  pitiful 
statesmen  who,  by  one  act  (the  emission  of  paper  cur- 
rency), increase  the  publick  expense  and  lessen  the 
means  of  defraying  it  ?     At  least  of  supporting  it  ? 

3.  Elijah  1  and  John  Williams  came,  and  set  out  again 
for  Deerfield  on  Sunday  the  7th. 

8.  Monday.  Capt.  Glover  and  Bartlett  came  for 
Libel.     Bro.  Stephen  Sewall  lodged  here  at  night. 

9.  News  came  from  Charlestown  that  Bunker's  Hill 
was  taken  last  night  by  the  Provincials ;  on  inquiry  it 
proved  to  be  the  burning  of  some  houses  at  the  bottom 
of  the  hill,  and  the  taking  four  or  five  prisoners.  Mr. 
Farnham  2  came  here,  and  returned  on  Wednesday.  At 
night  a  violent  wind. 

11.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Higginson 
here  from  Newburyport.  Mr.  Farnham  from  Cam- 
bridge. 

1  Elijah  Williams,  of  Deerfield,  married  Margaret,  a  sister  of  William 
Pynchon. 

2  Daniel  Farnham,  of  Newburyport,  was  one  of  a  group  of  eminent  law- 
yers more  or  less  distinguished  at  the  bar  and  in  public  life.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  Harvard  College  in  the  class  of  1739,  and  died  in  1776.  Among 
others  mentioned  in  this  diary  are  Nathaniel  P.  Sargent,  afterward  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Superior  Court,  John  Chipman  of  Marblehead,  the  Cush- 
ings,  Theophilus  Parsons,  and  John  Lowell,  afterward  Chief  Justice 
of  the  first  U.  S.  Circuit  Court. 


2  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

12.  Mr.  Higginson  here.  News  from  England  into 
Falmouth  that  Lord  Littleton  and  the  Duke  of  Grafton 
had  deserted  the  ministry,  and  joined  the  opposite  party  ; 
and  that,  since  the  King's  speech,  many  others  had  also 
joined,  so  that  the  King  had  doubled  his  guards,  and 
friends  to  America  daily  increased.      Qucere  de  toto. 

13.  I  spoke  to  Stephen  and  Sam.  Webb  about  Mr. 
Orne's  ropewalk,  desiring  the  consideration  of  the  matter 
a  few  days. 

15.  Took  Puffendorf,  Grotius,  and  Burlimagne  out 
of  the  library. 

17.  Wednesday.  Two  prizes  said  to  be  brought  into 
Newbury,  and  two  into  York,  by  the  Newbury  boats, 
etc.  Quebec  said  to  be  stormed  and  taken,  with  the 
loss  of  a  great  part  —  one  third  —  of  the  Provincial 
army.  Disturbance  at  N.  York  for  supplying  [the]  King's 
ships  with  provisions. 

22.  News  came  that  General  Montgomery  and  his 
aid-de-camp 1  [were]  killed,  and  Col.  Arnold  wounded 
at  Quebec,  and  the  army  repulsed ;  and,  on  the  24th,  we 
hear  that  the  army  miss  about  1200  men,  killed,  taken, 
and  deserted. 

25.  That  two  vessels,  a  [ship]  and  a  ,  were 
taken  by  our  privateers  near  the  Lighthouse,  and  carried 
into  Plymouth. 

26.  Sent  Mrs.  Grant's  letter  by  Major  Frazer  to  Col. 
Moylan,2  for  J.  Grant  at  Boston.  Dr.  Warren  and  Dr. 
Waldo 3  here  from  Cambridge,  and  say  Boston  is  very 
soon  to  be  bombarded.     Snowed,  and  helped  the  sled- 

1  McPherson. 

2  Stephen  Moylan  was  appointed  by  Washington  one  of  his  aids-de- 
camp, and  afterward  was  made  commissary-general. 

3  Jonathan  Waldo,  a  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Waldo,  was  born  in 
Boston,  June  21,  1754.     He  was  druggist,  mayor,  and  selectman. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  3 

ding,   so  that  on  Saturday,  the  27th,  wood  fell  to  20 
shillings  a  cord. 

27.  The  militia  was  mustered  for  enlisting  of  men  for 
the  Provincial  army,  but  not  one  enlisted.  Very  cold 
day. 

28.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold,  very  severe,  and  went 
into  our  own  pew  on  that  account. 

30.  Tuesday  morning.  Mrs.  P.  came  to  my  house,  and 
told  me  that  Mr.  T.  proposed  to  pay  her  some  paper 
money  on  a  bond  for  silver,  and  asked  what  she  should 
do  ;  for  if  she  took  it,  she  was  afraid  she  could  not  let  it, 
and  should  be  a  great  loser  and  displease  her  hus- 
band ;  and  if  she  refused  it,  she  might  meet  with 
trouble.  I  told  her  it  was  dangerous  to  give  any  advice 
in  the  matter  ;  however,  advised  her  to  do  whatever  she 
thought  would  be  agreeable  to  her  husband's  mind  ;  that 
I  apprehended  he  would  blame  her  taking  paper  money 
which  would  not  procure  any  remittances  which  he 
might  have  need  of  to  London.  Mr.  T.  told  me  that  he 
must  push  the  matter,  if  Mrs.  Pointer  should  refuse  the 
money.  This  I  think  affrighted  Mrs.  Pointer.  Re- 
turned Grotius  and  1  vol.  Burlimagne.  I  took  two  vols, 
of  the  Adventurer  and  four  vols,  of  the  World  and  two 
vols,  of  Ulloa  to  Mrs.  Curwen's. 

February  1.  Thursday.  Fair  and  very  warm.  A 
great  number  of  heavy  guns  fired  at  Boston,  at  Admiral 
Graves'  departure. 

2.  Fryday.     At  night  heavy  guns  heard. 

6.    Tuesday.     J.  Williams  came. 

8.    Thursday.     J.  Williams  for  Deerfield. 

12.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Vans1  assured  me 
last  evening  in  the  street  that  he  disliked  the  proclama- 

1  William  Vans,  a  merchant  of  Salem,  who  seems  to  have  been  for  a 
time  in  doubt  as  to  which  side  it  would  be  wisest  to  espouse. 


4  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [March, 

tion  read  at  meeting,  it  being  too  much  for  independence 
on  G.  B. 

20.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Mrs.  Anderson 
went  to  Newbury. 

22.  Thursday.  We  hear  of  orders  of  Continental 
Congress  to  the  Gen'l  not  to  attack  B. 

29.  Mr.  Burke1  and  Capt.  Lawrea  sailed  from  Beverly 
harbour  with  the  Privateers  ;  had  a  smart  wind  at  N.  W. 
News  came  that  Dr.  Gilson  and  others  broke  out  of  Ply- 
mouth jail  and  got  into  Boston  ;  and  by  advices  from 
Dr.  Eliot  and  Mr.  Payson  that  the  Regulars  at  B.  are 
preparing  to  quit  the  town  ;  and  from  others  that  the 
Provincials  are  busy  in  preparing  to  bombard  the  town, 
and  to  erect  works  for  that  end  on  the  hill  at  Dorchester, 
near  the  Neck. 

March  2.  Saturday.  Mr.  Hitchburn,  Dr.  Holten,2 
and  Dr.  Short,  here.  Boston  to  be  attacked  within  60 
days,  as  Mr.  H.  declares.  At  night,  bombs  were  thrown 
from  Lechmere's  Point. 

3.  Sunday.  An  engagement  between  Dawson,  a 
cruiser,  and  4  American  Privateers.  Query  the  event  ? 
The  action  seen  from  Salem  steeples  and  tops  of  houses. 
Dawson  outsailed  the  Privateers ;  near  100  guns  [were] 
fired,  but  no  damage  yet  heard  of ;  they  were  very  dis- 
tant from  him. 

1  Captain  Burke  commanded  the  schooner  Warren.  History  of  Mar - 
blehead,  p.  174. 

2  Dr.  Samuel  Holten,  sometimes  mentioned  in  this  Diary,  was  a  promi- 
nent physician  of  Danvers.  At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary 
struggle,  he  abandoned  the  practice  of  medicine  and  became  an  ardent 
supporter  of  the  Revolutionary  cause.  He  held  many  important  offices, 
having  been  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Congress  for  framing  the  confeder- 
ation, and  several  times  representative  to  the  General  Court.  In  1796, 
being  in  feeble  health,  having  served  his  country  in  public  stations  for  forty- 
seven  years,  he  accepted  a  commission  as  Judge  of  Probate,  which  office 
he  held  until  181 5.     He  died  the  following  year. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  5 

4.  Monday.  It  is  said  that  three  mortars  were  broke 
yesterday  in  Provincial  firing,  and  one  at  Boston  by  the 
Regulars  ;  very  little  hurt  done  by  the  breaking  bombs  ; 
and  firing  of  cannon  was  heard  most  of  the  forenoon, 
also  some  in  the  afternoon. 

5.  Tuesday.  A  few  bombs  only  thrown  to-day.  In 
the  evening,  it  rained  a  little  ;  in  the  night  was  a  violent 
gale  of  wind  with  rain  ;  the  man  of  war  in  harbour  here 
driven. 

6.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  windy.  No  firing  heard  in 
the  forenoon. 

7.  B.  went  to  Cambridge,  Charlestown,  Roxbury,  and 
Dorchester,  and  returned  on' Saturday. 

8.  News  came  that  the  regular  army  was  about  to 
leave  Boston. 

9.  Saturday.  In  the  evening,  at  about  8  o'clock,  heavy 
guns  were  heard,  and  frequently,  and  for  great  part  of 
the  night,  and  on  Sunday  morning  at  5  and  6  o'clock ; 
supposed  to  be  from  Boston,  to  prevent  the  Provincials 
from  advancing  to  Dorchester  Hill. 

10.  Sunday.  No  firing  at  Boston,  and  in  Regulars' 
intrenchments. 

11.  Monday.  Returned  Puffendorf,  and  took  it  out 
again  ;  also  returned  the  World,  4  vols.,  and  Ulloa,  2 
vols.,  and  Adventurer,  2  vols.,  and  took  out  Puffendorf, 
and  his  Introduction,  3  vols.,  Dodsley,  two  vols.,  and  Ad- 
venturer,1 1  vol. 

14.  Thursday.  Capt.  Foster  returned  from  Cam- 
bridge. 

15.  Fryday.  A  fine  fair  day;  wind  N.  W.  News 
that  the  regular  army  at  Boston,  with  the  inhabitants 
and  effects,  etc.,  are  going  off  —  whither  is  uncertain; 

1  The  Adventurer  was  a  series  of  papers  published  in  London,  the  first 
having  appeared  in  1752,  and  the  last,  two  years  later,  in  1754. 


6  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

and  that  part  of  the  Provincial  army  hath  marched  South- 
ward, expecting  to  oppose  the  Regulars  at  New  York  or 
Virginia. 

1 6.  Saturday.  A  firing  of  cannon  at  Boston  and 
Dorchester  during  a  great  part  of  the  night  was  heard 
by  several. 

17.  Sunday  morning.  The  troops  at  Boston  embarked 
and  went  down  to  Nantasket,  and  the  American  troops 
took  possession  of  the  town  and  the  fortifications  at 
Bunker's  Hill,  where  were  found  some  wooden  men  and 
wooden  guns  and  cannon,  mounted,  pointed,  etc.,  etc.,  in 
due  order. 

18.  Monday.  A  fine  fair  day.  The  fleet  seen  at 
Nantasket  and  King's  Road  from  Leggs  hill ;  the  wind 
at  N.  E.,  they  could  not  sail.  The  Court  of  Justices, 
Jurors,  etc.,  summoned  to  attend  this  day  at  Ipswich,  did 
not  proceed,  there  being  no  act  published  for  holding 
the  court ;  in  judicial  matters  hasty  proceedings  are 
seldom,  if  ever,  so  successful  as  moderate. 

19.  Tuesday.  In  the  evening,  about  o'clock,  a  great 
light  was  seen  in  the  horizon,  supposed  to  be  the  burn- 
ing of  the  Castle,  as  since  is  proved. 

20.  Wediiesday.  [At]  eve,  at  about  9  o'clock,  another 
great  light  was  seen,  supposed  to  be  at  the  burning  of 
the  buildings  at  Point  Shirley ;  this  light  appeared  to  me, 
as  I  sat  looking  from  the  scuttle  door,  to  be  exactly  in  the 
midst  between  the  two  posts  of  the  ballusters,  at  the  top 
of  the  house,  and  a  little  south  of  Philips'  house.1 

24.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold  ;  wind  brisk  at  N.  W. 
The  Fleet  sailed  from  King's  Road  and  Nantasket  very 
early,  and  was  out  of  sight  at  sunrise.  News  that  they 
had  taken  prizes  from  the  Americans  during  the  week, 
and  that  they  continued  at  Nantasket. 

1  Probably  the  burning  of  the  block-house  and  barracks  at  the  Castle 
by  the  British.     See  the  Boston  Gazette,  March  25,  1776. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  7 

27.  Wednesday.  The  remainder  of  the  Fleet  at  Nan- 
tasket  and  King's  Road  sailed  from  thence ;  whither 
bound  is  yet  unknown.  Mrs.  Browne,  it  is  said,  set  out 
for  Newport  by  land  with  Mr.  Wickham. 

29.  Friday.  A  great  smoke  at  the  southward  is  seen 
from  Boston  and  Salem  hills  :  said  by  some  to  be  the 
woods  on  fire ;  by  others,  some  ships  ;  by  others,  a  town. 

30.  Saturday.  Passage  into  Boston  is  allowed  with- 
out passes  at  the  ferries  and  at  the  Neck.  Training  at 
Salem. 

April  5.  Friday.  News  came  that  Manly  had  taken 
(near  Halifax)  a  vessel  bound  there  from  Boston,1  with 
W.  Jackson  and  other  inhabitants,  and  a  great  quantity 
of  goods.     Mitchel  Sewall  came. 

7.  Sunday.  Mr.  Bromfield  in  town  with  his  daughter 
from  Boston. 

10.  Wednesday.  News  by  Capt.  Browne  that  Quebeck 
was  taken  by  the  Provincial  army,  who  lost  therein  700 
men,  and  that  an  express  had  arrived  with  the  news. 
Mr.  Vans  proposes  that  Col.  B.,  being  a  very  worthy 
and  good  sort  of  man,  should  return  to  his  country,  and 
on  his  knees  beg  pardon  of  his  countrymen  ;  and  he 
doubts  not  but  he  might,  in  such  case,  be  received 
again. 

11.  Thursday.  Wm.  Jackson,  merchant,2  and  others, 
with  some  regular  soldiers,  went  thro'  Salem  on  foot  for 
Boston,  under  guard ;  't  is  said  they  were  much  insulted 
by  the  people  (it  must  be  presumed  to  be  the  rabble)  at 
Newburyport,   in  their  way  hither  ;  that  Jackson  was 

1  John  Manly  was  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  successful  of  our  com- 
manders at  this  time.  He  made  several  important  captures,  and  was  after- 
wards put  in  command  of  a  32-gun  frigate.  It  is  asserted  that  "  the  first 
American  flag  was  hoisted  by  him,  and  the  first  British  flag  was  struck  to 
him."     See  Roads'  History  of  Marblehead,  p.  120. 

2  See  Hutchinson 's  Diary,  ii.  p.  61. 


8  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

stopped  and  obliged  to  leave  his  carriage,  and  walk  on 
foot  from  Newbury  to  Salem,  and  thence  to  Boston  ; 
that  in  Newbury  street  he  was  stopped  again  and  obliged, 
after  his  hat  was  knocked  off,  to  fall .  on  his  knees  and 
beg  pardon  of  the  mob  and  of  the  Country,  and  to  say 
whatever  was  required  of  him. 

14.  Sunday.  Capt.  Bowie,  Foster,  Hunter,  Mess. 
Douglass,  Hastie,  and  Savage,  sailed  for  London. 

15.  Monday.  Court  of  Admiralty  at  Ipswich.  The 
new  act  produced  was  signed  but  by  eleven  of  the 
Council. 

22.  \Monday.~\  Went  in  stage  for  Plymouth  ;  on  Tues- 
day morning  reached  Wales'  in  [Hanover],  and  Ply- 
mouth on  Wednesday,  at  sunset ;  returned  to  Salem  on 
Saturday  p.  m.  the  27th. 

30.  Tuesday.  Morn,  and  last  night  a  plentiful  rain. 
A  salute  of  guns  heard  from  Nantasket,  as  said. 

May  6.  Monday.  Returned  Puffendorf,  3  vols.,  Dods- 
ley,  2  vols.,  Adventurer,  1  vol.,  to  the  Library  ;  and  took 
out  the  6th  vol.  of  the  Statutes,  and  returned  it  the  29th, 
election  day. 

13.  Monday.  Set  out  for  Plymouth,  and  returned  on 
Thursday,  the  16th. 

16.  Received  letter  from  Bro.  Pynchon1  of  14th  of 
March. 

17.  Continental  Fast.  News  came  of  the  Provincials' 
retreat  from  the  works  before  Quebeck. 

29.  Election  day.  Tom.  Bufton  without  notice  left  us 
in  the  morning  and  did  not  return  till  Thursday  morn- 
ing. Nat.  Vickery  came  to  live  in  the  family,  of  which 
Tom  had  notice  on  Thursday  morning.  News  of  a 
skirmish  at  New  York. 

yune  10.     Monday.     Set  out  for  Plymouth,  Court  of 

1  Joseph  Pynchon,  of  Guilford,  Conn. 


I776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  9 

Admiralty,  and  returned  Saturday  the  15th.  Thursday 
night  the  i3th,  the  militia  went  to  Pt.  Alderton  and  the 
islands  by  Nantasket,  and  placed  some  cannon  ;  and  on 
Friday  morning,  they  fired  on  the  men  of  war  and  trans- 
ports in  the  roads,  on  which  they  hoisted  sad  and  de- 

Pari6  ' Sunday  eve.  A  heavy  firing  of  cannon  and  small 
arms  was  heard  at  Lynn  and  Salem,  and  said  to  be  at 
and  from  the  Islands,  Nantasket,  etc.,  and  from  3  or  4 
Privateers,  at  an  armed  transport  going  for  the  fleet, 
supposed  to  be  at  Boston. 

20  Thursday.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  myself  being  at 
Ipswich,  B.  with  several  of  his  companions  went  on 
board  Capt.  Fisher's  vessel  for  a  frolick,  and  did  not  re- 
turn till  ;  and,  in  the  evening  of  the  same  Thurs- 
day, Mr.  W.  went  on  board,  but  could  not  persuade  B.  to 

return.  .,     ,    ,  .  _ 

23.  Sunday.  A  fleet  of  10  or  11  sail  of  ships  some 
of  them  armed,  were  seen  from  Marblehead  and  Salem, 
steering  towards  Boston  ;  Capt.  Fisher  in  a  privateer 
kept  ahead  of  them  ;  3  others  astern  ;  at  about  3  *>• «•, 
the  Fleet  tacked  and  stood  southward.  On  Monday  they 
returned  and  kept  in  the  bay,  sailing  backward  and  for- 
ward, and  then  stood  eastward. 

29.  Saturday.    By  Col.  Farley  disagreeable  news  from 
Canada,  New  York  and  Albany.     Very  hot  and  dry  all 

this  week.1  .  ■ 

3o  Sunday.  Easterly  wind  and  foggy  from  the  sea, 
and  a  prospect  of  rain  ;  thunder  at  a  distance  heard. 
1  Dim  whether  the  title  rfilfr,  Esq.,  Honour,  ox  LcrdMp  be  most 
proptfn  dressing  J.  Mars.on,  [he  being]  Judge  of  A^-tyoJ  Com- 
mon Pleas,  of  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  Just.ce  of  the  Peace  County 
Register,  Conveyancer  and  Scrivener,  Colonel  of  the  Regiment,  Town 
C.erk,  Parish  Clerk,  Representative,  Selectman,  Cha.rman  o  three  Com 
mittees,  High  Sheriff,  Brigadier,  County  Treasurer,  Stated  Preacher, 
Committeeman  for  Supplies,  etc. 


10  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

News  of  a  conspiracy  at  New  York  for  blowing  up  the 
magazines  of  the  Provincials  there,  etc. 

July  14.  Sunday.  Moderate  rain.  Mr.  Wetmore 
and  Mrs.  Pynchon  set  out  for  Boston  to  consult  Drs. 
Lloyd  and  Putnam. 

15.  Monday.  The  weather  fine  and  fair.  Upon  re- 
turn of  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  from  Boston,  we 
dined  and  set  out,  and  arrived  there  in  good  season,  and 
myself  and  John  were  inoculated  at  Dr.  Lloyd's  house 
at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  ;  he  gave  me  six  powders, 
to  be  mixed  with  molasses,  and  taken,  one  each  night 
and  morning  ;  and  three  for  John,  Monday,  Wednesday, 
and  Friday  nights. 

Was  delivered  into  my  hand  the  C.  Congress'  decla- 
ration of  the  Independence  of  the  Colonies  on  G.  Britain. 
Query,  the  consequences  of  this  measure.  God's  chosen 
people,  though  governed  by  himself,  desired  a  King  of 
their  own  ;  he  gave  them  a  King  in  his  anger.  We 
Americans,  God 's  favorite  people,  desiring  no  King,  have 
set  ours  aside ;  but,  wiser  than  the  Israelites,  who, 
having  nothing,  did  every  man  what  was  right  in  his  own 
eyes,  we  have  preferred  many  to  one,  and  subjected 
ourselves  to  .     We  have  had  our  ages  of  gold  and 

of  silver,  but,  not  contented,  we  rejected  both,  and  have 
lost  them,  and  with  them  our  copper  and  most  of  our 
brass  and  iron.  What  then  ?  Have  we  not  Paper  in 
plenty  ?  Are  we  not  wiser  than  the  Israelites  ?  Charles 
the  1 2th  of  Sweden,  a  despot,  wanted  gold  and  silver,  and 
his  wants  arose  from  his  passion  for  war ;  he  took  from 
his  subjects  all  the  silver  they  had,  and  in  its  stead 
returned  them  copper  pieces,  ordering  them  to  pass  as 
silver  dollars.  It  was  Baron  Gortz'  invention  which  cost 
him  his  life  after  the  death  of  Charles.  These  pieces, 
as  we  are  told,  now  pass  for  their  real  worth,  which  is 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  II 

less  than  a  Farthing.  But  our  paper  is  an  invention  of 
our  own.  Are  we  not  wiser  than  Baron  Gortz  or  his 
master  ? 

1 6.  Tuesday.  Went  to  see  Mr.  Vassal's  fine  garden, 
also  Mr.  Lowell's  ;  eat  our  fill  of  fine  fruit.  Visited  the 
Salem  patients  in  K[ing]  and  Q[ueen]  streets,  and  find 
that  they  take  powders  but  once  in  two  days ;  that  I  am 
favoured  as  to  medicine,  but  expect  to  pay  for  it  in 
pocks.    Dined  at  our  lodgings. 

17.  Wednesday.  Dr.  Putnam  took  the  bandage,  etc., 
off  my  arm  this  morning  ;  was  satisfied  that  the  incision, 
etc.,  were  effectual  ;  went  to  Dr.  Lloyd's,  and  he  was  of 
the  same  mind.  Visited  our  friends,  patients,  etc.,  in  K. 
street  and  Q.  street,  also  Dr.  Pemberton  and  Dr.  Mather ; 
dined  at  Mr.  Thomas  Russell's  with  Dr.  Putnam,  Mr. 
Sparhawk,  and  Mr.  Coleman  ;  p.  m.  eat  fruit  at  Mr. 
Sheriff  Greenleaf's  fine  garden  —  I  mean  S.  Greenleaf, 
Esq.  ;  wrote  to  Mrs.  Pynchon  by  Capt.  Peale  for  some 
currants,  etc.  Dr.  Putnam  and  bro.  Sargent  at  my  lodg- 
ings in  the  evening  ;  drank  tea  at  Dr.  Putnam's.1 

18.  Thursday.  Took  a  glass  of  senna  this  morning 
instead  of  the  powder ;  John  took  half  a  glass  of  it,  also, 
and  within  two  hours  each  of  us  took  another  glass. 
Wrote  to  Mrs.  Pynchon  by  Mr.  Johnston  and  by  Mr. 
Sparhawk  for  currant  syrup  instead  of  the  fruit  ;  met 
Dr.  Goodhue  riding  out.  He  is  breaking  out,  and  is  re- 
lieved by  it ;  his  symptoms  have  been  very  high  these 
three  days  ;  they  appeared  the  ninth  day  from  the  in- 
oculation.2 

1  Dr.  Aaron  Putnam  here  mentioned  was  a  physician  of  Charlestown. 
He  was  the  great-grandson  of  Benjamin,  the  grandson  of  John  and  Pris- 
cilla  Putnam,  and  the  great-grandfather  of  Judge  Samuel  Putnam. 

2  The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  of  this  date,  written  by  Mr. 
Pynchon  while  in  Boston  :  — 

"  We  sleep  finely,  and  our  time  passeth  most  agreeably  indeed.  We  meet 
with  much  kindness  from  the  gentlemen  and  all  the  inhabitants  excepting 


12  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

At  noon  the  Congress  Declaration  of  the  Independence 
of  the  Colonies  on  Great  Britain  was  read  in  the  balcony 
of  the  Town  house  ;  a  regiment  under  arms,  and  artillery 
Co.  in  King  Street,  and  the  guns  at  the  several  batteries 
were  fired,  three  cheers  given,  bells  ringing,  etc.;  [in 
the]  afternoon  the  King's  arms  were  taken  down  and 
broken  to  pieces  in  King  street,  and  carried  off  by  the 
people,  p.  m.,  cloudy  and  some  rain.  Dr.  Lloyd  came 
to  see  me,  and  ordered  me  to  continue  taking  the  pow- 
ders and  senna,  but  John  to  omit  the  powders  till  Satur- 
day night.  In  the  evening  I  received  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
Pynchon  and  a  box  of  jellies,  etc.,  by  Mr.  Knox.  Otis,  I 
hear,  curses  me  for  a  scoundrel. 

19.  Fjyday.  Took  another  glass  of  senna  ;  John  took 
one  also;  at  12  took  a  powder.  Mr.  Hunts  at  tea; 
met  Mr.  Otis,  and  was  introduced  by  him  to  Mrs.  Otis  in 
the  street ;  he  left  us,  telling  her  that  I  was  once  a  hand- 
some fellow. 

20.  Saturday.  Took,  each  of  us,  a  glass  of  senna  be- 
fore breakfast  ;  at  11  I  took  a  powder  ;  wrote  to  Mrs. 
Pynchon  by  W.  Sanders,  a.  m.,  was  at  Mr.  Bromfield's, 
and  at  Mr.  Hutchison's  and  Watson's  lodgings  in  O. 
Street ;  also  at  Mrs.  Sparhawk's.  p.  m.,  we  went  over 
to  Bunker  Hill  ;  met  Mr.  Barret  and  wife  at  the  Ferry, 
who  had  been  at  my  lodgings  to  see  us,  and  were  go- 
ing to  Salem  on  Monday.     On  our  return  from  Charles- 

the  tailors  and  barbers  ;  their  squinting  and  fleering  at  our  clothes,  and 
especially  our  wiggs,  begin  to  border  on  malevolence.  Had  not  the  caul 
of  my  wigg  been  made  of  uncommon  stuffe  and  workmanship,  in  my  con- 
science I  think  my  barber  would  have  had  it  in  pieces ;  his  dressing  it 
greatly  resembles  the  farmer's  dressing  his  flax,  the  latter  of  the  two  being 
the  gentlest  in  his  motions.  .  .  .  We  are  told  that  Dr.  P[arke]r  will  be 
called  to  answer  for  praying  last  Sunday  for  the  King  ;  order  is  soon  to  be 
taken  by  the  Congress,  if  not  already  done,  as  to  publick  prayers.  Yester- 
day we  dined  at  Mr.  Russell's  ;  visited  Mr.  Greenleafs  Gardens,  and  Dr. 
Pemberton  and  Dr.  Mather." 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  13 

town,  found  that  Dr.  Lloyd  had  been  to  see  us.  In  the 
evening  I  went  to  advise  with  him  as  to  medicine  for 
tonight  and  tomorrow,  but  could  not  see  him  ;  met  there 
Mrs.  Otis,  and  she  urged  me  to  come  and  see  him.  At  10 
John  took  his  powder,  and  I  a  glass  of  senna.  Plentiful 
rain  p.  m. 

21.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  rain  and  sunshine  by  turns. 
John  complains  of  swelling  under  his  arm  and  in  his 
gums,  and  toothache  ;  each  of  us  took  a  glass  of  senna 
at  9.  Dr.  Lloyd  called  and  left  6  more  powders  for  me, 
and  some  salts  for  John ;  the  powders  to  be  taken  even- 
ing and  morning  as  before,  the  salts  twice,  J  an  oz.  at 
a  time.  A  Transport  with  beef  and  butter,  from  Ire- 
land, was  convoyed  in  to  Nantasket  by  a  fisherman  ;  on 
discovering  the  imposition,  would  have  gone,  but  was 
prevented  by  the  Fort  at  Point  Alderton  ;  on  her  coming 
to  the  wharf,  guns  were  fired  and  three  cheers  were 
given. 

22.  Mo7iday.  A  very  hot  day.  The  militia  being 
mustered  for  procuring  men  —  this  town's  pro- 
portion, for  Canada  and  New  York,  drew  us  all  into 
the  Common,  and  the  great  heat  brought  on  John's 
symptoms,  to  wit,  headache  and  fever,  which  took  away 
his  appetite  ;  took  a  glass  of  senna  ;  dosed  all  the  rest 
of  the  day ;  at  night  took  a  small  draught  of  nitre  dis- 
solved in  water  ;  went  to  bed,  having  [had]  but  one  dish 
of  tea  and  a  little  piece  of  cake  since  breakfast.  Was  at 
Mr.  Brimmer's  in  the  afternoon  ;  tea  at  lodgings.  John 
was  very  feverish  and  restless  all  night. 

23.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Each  took  his  glass 
of  senna  ;  I  took  my  powders  as  usual.  Attended  the 
Court  of  Inquisition.      S.  Greenleaf,  Esq.,  Erwin,  Esq., 

N.  Cary,  merchant,  and Green,  merchant,  had  each 

his  trial.     Mr.  Erwin,  of  83  years,  and  deaf,  bound  ;  Mr. 


14  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

Greenleaf  bound  to  his  good  behaviour  for  in  ,£2000 

himself,  and  £2000  his  sureties  ;  Mr.  Cary  banished 
the  town  for  four  months,  and  to  reside  at  [some]  inland 
town,  and  bound  to  his  good  behaviour  for  months. 

Tea,  self  and  John,  at  Dr.  Putnam's  ;  attended  Mr.  Win- 
throp  for  copies,  etc.,  writs  at  his  office.  John's  fever 
very  high  all  night  ;  vomited  in  the  evening. 

24.  Wednesday.  Warm.  Headache  and  loss  of  ap- 
petite early,  yet  assisted  and  gave  directions  to  Mr. 
Elliot's  commanders  of  the  privateers  ;  walked  only  to 
Winnesimet  Ferry  this  morning  ;  both  languid  and  weak, 
—  effects  of  medicine  ;  drank  today  only  two  dishes  of 
tea  and  about  four  spoonfuls  of  milk  porridge,  being  sick 
at  the  stomach.  John  continues  to  break  out.  Mrs. 
Pynchon  came  and  brought  some  fruit,  and  dined  with 
me. 

25.  Thursday.  Warm.  Sickness  and  headache  con- 
tinue ;  John  is  easier  than  yesterday,  and  continues  to 
break  out  ;  eat  today  about  a  gill  of  milk  and  water,  and 
a  little  piece  of  milk  biscuit  —  the  like  at  night  ;  head- 
ache and  pain  in  my  limbs  abates  in  the  cool  of  the 
evening,  and  I  rested  well.  Dr.  Lloyd  had  his  trial  this 
afternoon  before  the  Court  of  Inquisition.  Began  to 
shave  myself  in  the  morning,  but  being  obliged  to  desist 
through  weakness  was  shaven  by  barber.  Messrs.  Sar- 
gent, Lowell,  W.  P.  and  ladies,  Dr.  Elliot  and  neighbour 
Giles,  and  Misses  Onichs  made  us  visits. 

26.  Friday.  Warm.  Headache  and  pain  in  my  bones 
return,  without  any  appetite  ;  eat  only  some  broth  at 
noon  ;  a  dish  of  tea  and  one  of  coffee  p.  m.  ;  sleep  well. 
Note  —  Lobden  lives  at  the  corner,  near  the  place  where 
Mrs.  Bean  lived  in  K.  Street,  and  the  Salem  Stages, 
Warner,  etc.,  put  up  there  ;  also  at  Newhalls. 

27.  Saturday.     Weather  moderate.     Symptoms  con- 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  15 

tinue;  eat  some  milk  and  water  with  some  cake  for 
breakfast.  Dr.  Lloyd  much  affected  with  the  illness  of 
his  children,  having  the  throat  distemper.  Hear  from 
Salem  that  Derby's  prize  was  retaken  near  Newbury 
bar ;  by  J.  Grafton  and  Mr.  Lowell  that  some  of  the  fleet 
in  landing  men  at  were  shattered  and  disabled. 

28.  Sunday.      Fair.      Symptoms  continue  ;  rose  and 
walked  about  the  house   till   sunrise;   then   walked  to 
Charlestown  Ferry  ;  eat  some  whitpot  for  breakfast,  also 
a  cup  of  coffee  and  cake.    Dr.  P.  says  my  fever  is  much 
abated.     At  noon  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Caty  came  to  see 
us,  and  brought  a  most  friendly  letter  from  Mr.  Goodale. 
Broth  for  dinner  ;  John  eat,  in  addition  to  his  broth,  a 
little  lamb  and  cucumbers,   notwithstanding  my  objec- 
tions.    Mr.  Parsons  procured  me  some  fine  cherries  in 
the  morning,  and  Mr.  Lowell  brought  me  some  goose- 
berries and  cherries.    [In  the]  afternoon  Father  Kent x 
called  and   drank  tea  with   me  ;  hear  that  a  transport 
[was]  brought  into  Marblehead,  bound  from  Halifax  to 
New  York,  with  B.  Davis  and  others  of  this  Town  and 
Province  on  board,  and  a  large  quantity  of  goods. 

29.  Monday.  Moderate,  and  rain  by  turns  all  day. 
Waked  and  rose  at  3  ;  walked  to  Charlestown  Ferry  ; 
\\  dish  of  coffee  for  breakfast,  pudding  for  dinner. 
John's  fever  increaseth  ;  my  fever  abates  ;  Dr.  Lloyd 
here.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Caty  set  out  for  Salem  about 
9  o'clock,  just  before  the  shower.  John's  fever  and  sore- 
ness increasing;  Dr.  Lloyd  and  Dr.  Putnam  came  in  the 
evening. 

30.    Tuesday.     Fair.     Pain   in  my  head  not  entirely 

1  Rev.  Benjamin  Kent,  H.  C,  1727,  was  educated  for  the  ministry,  and 
was  settled  for  a  while  at  Marlboro,  but  afterwards  abandoned  that  pro- 
fession and  studied  law.  At  first  a  Whig,  he  subsequently  espoused  the 
other  side,  and  died  a  refugee  in  Halifax  in  1788.  "  He  was  an  eccentric 
man,"  says  Sabine,  "  and  a  wit." 


1 6  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

gone  ;  for  breakfast  one  dish  of  coffee,  two  dishes  of 
milk  and  water,  with  milk  biscuit  and  a  bunn.  John 
took  electuary.  Dr.  Lloyd's  trial  finished — his  con- 
demnation.1 I  eat  for  dinner  pudding  and  some  buttered 
peas.  Mr.  Sargent  went  with  me  to  see  Judge  W. 
Cushing  whose  pock  was  about  turning.  Mr.  Russell 
and  Colo.  Frye  to  see  me  in  the  evening. 

31.  Wednesday.  Fair.  Billy  came  from  Salem,  brought 
some  fruit,  and  dined  with  us ;  returned  p.  m.  with  young 
West.     Dr.  Lloyd  here  to  see  us. 

August  1.  Thursday.  Fair  and  warm.  Fast  day. 
Rose  with  headache.  Dr.  Lloyd  came,  and  allowed  of 
eating  meat,  oysters,  etc.,  moderately.  Mr.  Elliot  from 
Ct.  at  Salem  says  old  Mr.  Barnard  declines  fast  (if  living), 
having  had  another  paralytic  turn.  Went  with  Dr. 
Putnam  to  hear  Dr.  Elliot.  Coddled  apples  and  milk 
supper.  Thundered  and  rained  in  the  night ;  at  eve  Mr. 
Blodget  and  co.  visited  us. 

2.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  Of  Mr.  Giles,  two 
quarts  whortleberries  —  milk  supper ;  go  to  bed,  but 
cannot  sleep ;  rise  again  and  walk  the  room  some  hours. 
Mr.  Russell  and  lady  and  Dr.  Elliot  to  visit  us  in  the 
evening,  also  Blodget  and  co. 

3.  Saturday.  Fair.  Rise  with  the  headache  ;  choco- 
late for  breakfast ;  walked  up  to  K.  Street,  Mr.  Lowell, 
and  co.  By  way  of  Dr.  Putnam  we  were  asked  to  Dr. 
Lloyd's  this  afternoon,  but  were  not  well  enough  to  wait 
on  him.  Supped  on  coddled  apples  and  milk.  Hear  that 
Mr.  Barnard  of  Salem  died  yesterday. 

1  Dr.  James  Lloyd  seems  to  have  been  a  moderate  loyalist,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  determine  why  the  hard  measures  alluded  to  were  taken  against 
him.    There  is  no  mention  of  this  trial  in  the  biographical  sketches  of  him. 

Henry  Lloyd  prosecuted  and  banished  in  1775  ;  went  to  Halifax  in  1776 ; 
and  died  in  1795,  aet.  86. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 7 

4.  Sunday.  Fair  and  fine.  Slept  well  last  night ; 
[had]  my  usual  headache  ;  rode  in  Dr.  Pemberton's 
chaise  to  the  fortification  and  back  with  son  John,  which 
almost  cured  my  headache  ;  dined  on  w.  berry  pudding, 
butter  sauce,  stringed  beans  and  peas,  and  roast  pigeon, 
and  eat  heartily  without  inconvenience,  and  drank  a 
beaker  of  wine  and  water.  Hear  that  Parson  Barnard  is 
yet  living.  Tea  at  home  ;  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  John  at  Miss 
Gerrish's.  Dr.  Loring  and  the  Miss  Hunts  spend  the 
evening  with  us.     Supper  w.  and  milk. 

5.  Monday.  Fair  and  fine.  Rose  at  6  almost  free 
from  headache  ;  chocolate  for  breakfast ;  at  8  went  over 
the  Neck  with  Mr.  Coburn's  horse  and  chaise  ;  a  glass 
of  senna  before  breakfast ;  mutton,  squash  and  turnips  for 
dinner,  with  a  little  flip  at  landlady's  desire,  and  it  did 
no  harm  ;  tea  at  Dr.  Lloyd's,  where  were  Dr.  Pemberton, 
and  N.  Dowst,  and  Mrs.  Temple  and  daughter ;  visited 
at  Mr.  Russell's  afterwards,  and  at  Mr.  Hunt's  in  the 
evening ;  chocolate  for  supper  ;  took  electuary  first. 
N.  Ropes  came  with  chaise  for  Dr.  Putnam  and  Eben. 

6.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  fine.  Rose  without  headache  ; 
to  Charlestown  Ferry  with  Dr.  Putnam,  who  with  N. 
Ropes  went  for  Salem  ;  took  a  glass  of  senna ;  chocolate 
for  breakfast  ;  received  a  present  of  sermons  from  Dr, 
Pemberton  ;  at  eleven  took  electuary.  B.  and  S.  came 
and  dined  with  us  at  two ;  tarried  the  night.  I  went  to 
visit  Parson  Cooper,  and  he  not  at  home ;  went  to  Mr. 
Kent's,  and  he  absent  ;  thence  to  Mr.  Coburn's  ;  went 
to  neighbour  Giles'. 

7.  Wednesday.  Fair  and  warm.  Rose  without  the 
headache  ;  took  a  glass  of  senna  ;  chocolate  for  break- 
fast. B.  and  S.  tarried  at  breakfast  and  dinner,  and  they 
with  John  set  out  for  Salem  after  dinner,  with  S.  Cabot 
and  Deb.  Higginson  about  4  o'clock  from  Winnisimet. 


1 8  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

Mr.  Vans  with  me  in  the  evening,  also  Dr.  Whittaker;  I 
was  at  Dr.  Clarke's  in  the  afternoon,  and  eat  fruit  in  his 
garden. 

8.  Thursday.  Fair  and  warm.  For  breakfast,  choco- 
late ;  dinner,  mutton.  p.  m.  at  Mr.  Sparhawk's,  Dr. 
Pemberton's,  and  Mrs.  Ropes'  in  K.  Street ;  in  the  even- 
ing I  came  home  in  the  rain. 

9.  Fryday.  Cloudy.  Rose  at  7.  Mr.  Goodhue  here  ; 
Mr.  Wetmore  dined  here  ;  attended  p.  m.  the  trial  of  a 
vessel  bound  from  Jamaica  for  London. 

10.  Saturday.  Fair.  I  rose  at  \  past  8  o'clock,  too 
late  to  breakfast  at  Mr.  Elliot's,  who  invited  Mr.  W.  and 
myself;  we  all  dined  at  Mrs.  Chadwell's,  and  about  2 
set  out  for  the  ferry ;  Mr.  W.  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  for 
Charlestown,  myself  and  B.  for  Winnisimet ;  and  we  all 
met  at  Newhall's  and  baited,  and  reached  Salem  about 
7  o'clock,  self  and  John  having  recovered  of  Small  Pox. 

12.  Monday.  The  news  of  the  dissolution  of  the 
English  and  Irish  Parliaments  in  part  confirmed,  to  wit, 
as  to  Ireland ;  as  to  England,  [it  is]  said  to  be  only  a 
prorogation  of  Parliament.  Several  large  showers  today 
of  rain.  Received  a  letter  from  G.  Deblois  dated  Halifax 
in  July. 

14.  Wednesday.  Rained  and  very  warm.  Dr.  Smith 
and  Mr.  West  in  the  evening  here. 

19.  Monday.  The  Court  of  Admiralty  ;  the  "  Queen 
of  England "  tried.1  In  the  evening,  Mr.  L.  and  Mr. 
Wetmore  set  out  for  Portsmouth. 

24.  Saturday.  Mr.  Lowell  and  Mr.  Wetmore  return 
from  Portsmouth.  Milford  frigate  came  into  the  har- 
bour. 

25.  Sunday.     At  Church  in  the  afternoon. 

1  This  ship  was  advertised  in  the  papers  of  the  day  to  be  sold  at  auction, 
October  3,  1776. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  19 

September  3.  Tuesday.  News  from  Boston  that  last 
week  there  were  two  engagements  on  Long  Island  ;  in 
one,  that  2000  regulars  were  killed ;  in  the  other,  that 
5000  Provincials  were  killed  by  Hessians,  who  rushed 
on  them  sword  in  hand,  throwing  aside  their  muskets. 
Credat  Judceus  Apella  !  Mr.  Vans  prophesies  that  there 
will  be  no  battle  at  New  York  this  year  ;  his  word 
for  it. 

6.  Fry  day.  Mr.  Vans  present  on  Mr.  Lee's  and  A. 
Cabot's  2  arrival  from  Boston,  with  news  by  way  of  Con- 
necticut and  Providence  that  the  Provincials  had  gone  off 
Long  Island  with  artillery,  etc.,  and  that  it  was  doubted 
whether  they  could  secure  New  York  against  the  regular 
army. 

7.  Saturday.  The  news  confirmed  by  Mr.  Hopkins 
and  Lowell  2  from  the  General  Court,  Watertown  ;  and 
that  Gen.  Sullivan  and  P.  Stirling  [were]  taken  prison- 
ers. It  is  said  that  Gen.  Sullivan  is  at  New  York  on 
his  parole.  Mr.  Lowell  returned  in  the  rain  from  Boston. 
Mr.  Wetmore  and  Caty  returned  last  night ;  they  went 
on  last  Wednesday. 

1  Andrew  Cabot  was  a  son  of  Joseph  and  grandson  of  the  first  John 
Cabot.  He  was  born  December  10,  1750.  He  married  Lydia  Daye  April 
28,  1773,  and  died  May,  1791. 

The  Cabots  so  often  mentioned  in  this  volume  are  descendants  of  John 
Cabot  of  Beverly,  who  came  from  St.  Heliers,  Jersey,  in  1700,  and  was  the 
son  of  Francois  Cabot.  He  seems  to  have  had  nine  children  :  1 .  John,  who 
married  first  Sarah  Higginson,  and  secondly  Hannah  Clark.  2.  Hester, 
who  married  John  Higginson.  3.  Mary,  who  married  Mitchell  Sewall, 
the  father-in-law  of  William  Pynchon.  4.  Anna,  who  died  unmarried. 
5.  Margaret,  who  married  Benjamin  Gerrish,  who  died  in  1752,  governor 
of  Bermuda.  6.  Elizabeth,  who  married  Stephen  Higginson.  7.  Francis, 
who  married  first  Mary  Fitch,  and  secondly  Mrs.  Gardner,  leaving  by  the 
latter  no  issue.  8.  Joseph,  who  married  Elizabeth  Higginson.  From 
Joseph  are  descended  the  Cabots,  Lees,  Jacksons,  Winthrops,  and  Lowells 
of  Boston. 

2  Daniel  Hopkins  of  the  Council,  and  John  Lowell  of  Newburyport,  one 
of  the  General  Court. 


20  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [October, 

8.  Sunday.  Mrs.  Ste.  Higginson1  had  her  two  daugh- 
ters christened  at  Church  ;  the  eldest  about  2\  years 
old,  named  Barbara  Cooper ;  the  other,  six  weeks  old, 
called  Elizabeth  ;  sponsors,  herself,  with  W.  P.  and  ux. 
Very  warm,  p.  m. 

17.  Tuesday.  The  maritime  Court  sat  at  Salem  until 
Saturday  afternoon. 

22.  Sunday.  Fair  wind,  S.  W.  B.  went  on  board 
about  7  o'clock  to  go  to  sea  when  the  tide  should  serve. 
News  from  Boston  by  post  from  New  York  that  the 
city  was  in  the  possession  of  regular  troops. 

23.  Monday.  Fair  and  serene  ;  wind  N.  W.  I  sent, 
enclosed  to  Captains  Foster,  Bowie,  Hunter  and  Lawrea, 
the  decrees  of  condemnation  of  their  several  ships  and 
vessels  by  Capt.  Pringle,  bound  from  Boston  for  London. 

October  1.      Tuesday.     Toast  given  by  a  Continental 

agent  to  some  prisoners  at  his  table,    "  D n  to  K. 

George's  head  and  pluck." 

3.  Capt.  Sam.  West  was  buried  ;  his  age  was  [85] 
years.2  Mr.  T.  Fitch  Oliver  came  to  study  law  at  my 
office  on  this  day. 

22.  News  from  Gen.  Schuyler  that  Gen.  Arnold's 
fleet  was  beat  and  almost  destroyed  on  the  Lake ;  that 
Gen.  Arnold  blew  up  his  ship,  and  escaped  himself,  and 
some  of  the  men,  by  swimming  to  shore ;  that  about  300 
were  taken  prisoners,  and  dismissed  with  the  blankets, 
etc.,  to  go  home  and  not  to  take  up  arms  again  this 

1  Stephen  Higginson  was  the  son  of  Stephen  Higginson  and  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  the  first  John  Cabot.  Their  eldest  daughter,  Barbara  Cooper, 
who  was  born  January  15,  1774,  afterwards  married  Samuel  G.  Perkins, 
whose  daughter  Barbara  married  the  late  Dr.  Walter  Channing  of  Boston. 

-  Captain  Samuel  West  was  the  son  of  Samuel,  the  son  of  Henry  West, 
born  in  1629.  He  was  born  in  1691,  and  married  first  Mary  Gale,  and 
secondly  Esther  Brentnal.  His  son  William  married  Mary  Bickford,  and 
had  Nathaniel,  an  eminent  merchant  of  Salem,  who  left  descendants,  and 
Edward,  who  died  unmarried. 


1776.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  21 

December  15.  Sunday.  News  that  Lord  Howe  and 
Gen'l  Howe,  are  yet  at  New  York,  and  that  Earl  Percy 
only  with  6000  troops  is  on  the  Jersey  side,  without  any 
design  of  proceeding  to  Philadelphia ;  and  that  part  of 
a  body  of  15,000  foreign  troops  had  arrived  at  Halifax, 
said  to  be  about  half  of  them  ;  that  Capt.  Mussy  and 
others  had  taken  the  and  carried  her  into 

18.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  and  south  wind.  Orders  came 
for  imprisonment  of  masters  of  vessels  and  others  who 
had  been  taken  as  prisoners  and  were  abroad  on  their 
parole,  etc.  ;  some  absconded  and  others  were  taken  up. 
Mr.  Dowst's  family  affrighted  by  soldiers  with  bayo- 
nets fixed,  inquiring  for  prisoners.  Colo.  Frye's  house 
searched  also,  as  it  is  said. 

21.  Mr.  Seton  ordered  by  the  Committee  to  be  con- 
fined at  D.  King's  and  not  to  go  without  the  yard.  Lord 
and  Gen'l  Howe's  proclamation  to  the  Americans  to  come 
and  surrender  within  [sixty]  days. 

23.  Na[than]  Bowen,  Esq.,  Marblehead,  deceased,  aged 
80. 

24.  Jos.  Blaney,  Esq.,  wife,  deceased.1  Weather 
severely  cold.  Prize  said  to  be  carried  into  Dartmouth  ; 
10,000  stand  of  arms,  and  10,000  to  14,000  suits  of 
clothes  for  soldiers. 

25.  Christmas.  Very  cold.  My  windows  at  Church 
broken,  agreeable  to  threats  of  Cook  and  comp.  for  as- 
sisting the  countryman  to  get  the  apples  stolen  from 
him. 

26.  Thursday.  Snow  and  rain  spoil  the  sledding. 
General  Lee  surprised  and  taken. 

1  Mrs.  Abigail  Blaney  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Browne,  H.  C.  1727, 
whose  wife  was  Catherine,  a  daughter  of  John  Winthrop,  whose  second 
husband  was  Epes  Sargent.  She  married  Joseph  Blaney  in  1757.  Mr. 
Blaney  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Salem  at  this  time.  He  was  born 
February  12,  1730,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1751,  and  died 
in  1786. 


22  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

27.  Gen'l  Howe  defeated,  and  lost  7000  men,  baggage, 
etc. 

29.  Sunday.  Fair  and  moderate.  News  from  Dr. 
Putnam  at  Providence,  where  he  and  Salem  company 
had  arrived  well. 

Threats  and  Wishes. 

That  Parson  Gilchrist  might  drop  down  dead  when  he 
enters  his  pulpit ;  that  every  tory  was  banished  off  the 
face  of  the  earth  ;  that  he,  J.  Dodge,  could  wring  his 
hands  in  the  heart's  blood  of  every  tory  in  the  land  —  he 
could  kill  them  as  soon  as  he  would  eat  ;  that  they  did 
not  deserve  to  live. 

News  of  the  fight  at  Jersey  ;  12,000  British  troops 
routed,  and  more  taken  prisoners  than  Gen'l  Howe  had 
taken  since  the  arrival  of  Regulars.  News  by  vessel 
from  France  that  more  was  done  at  F.  Ct.  last  June  than 
could  be  expected  ;  that  great  preparations  were  making 
in  France  and  Spain,  in  Fleet  and  Army,  in  favour  of 
America.  Newport  submitted  to  British  troops  without 
opposition.  It  rained  but  once  in  November  and  before 
the  1 2th  of  December. 

l777>  y anuary  1.  News  that  the  Farmer,  Mr.  Dick- 
enson of  Philadelphia,  was  gone  over  to  Gen'l  Howe  with 
some  other  gentlemen ;  that  the  Congress  had  sent  off 
their  papers,  etc.,  and  were  preparing  to  depart  from 
Philadelphia  for  Baltimore  ;  that  on  Christmas  eve, 
Gen'l  Washington  with  3000  Americans  crossed  the 
Delaware,  and,  it  being  very  stormy  in  the  night,  sur- 
prised and  routed  a  party  of  1500  or  1600  Hessians,  a 
Colo,  and  other  officers,  cannon,  baggage,  etc. ;  that  about 
900  of  them  were  taken  prisoners,  some  killed  and  some 
escaped. 


I777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  23 

9.  ThatR.  T.  Paine,  Esq.,  [is]  returned  from  Congress, 
and  contradicts  the  account  of  the  Farmer's  departure, 
and  confirms  the  account  of  Gen'l  Washington's  action. 

10.  J.  Adams  and  J.  Lovell,  Esqs.,  set  out  for  the 
Congress. 

12.  Mr.  Hastie1  returned  to  Salem. 
14.    Tuesday.      Lost  my  pocket  book  [in]  Danvers. 
News  that  Newport  is  burnt  by  Regulars. 

17.  News  from  Capt.  Cleaveland,  by  Mr.  J.  Cabot,2 
that  he  and  B.  are  well  at  Bordeaux.  Cabot  from  Bilboa. 
Snow. 

18.  News  from  Boston  of  a  difference  at  Ticonderoga 
between  the  Western  and  Southern  soldiers  and  officers, 
and  that  some  ears  had  been  cut  off ;  that  the  Newport 
affair  is  not  true.  Cold,  and  good  sledding.  Capt.  Sulli- 
van returns  by  leave  of  Gen'l  Howe. 

21.  Tuesday.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Burke  of  Antigua  by 
Mr.  Payson,  enclosing  the  condemnation  of  the  "  Little 
Hannah." 

23.  Thursday.  Snow  storm.  Setting  chimney  on  fire 
nearly  burnt  [the]  keeping  room. 

24.  Fry  day.  Snow  and  rain.  John's  proposal  to  S. 
Blyth  to  be  a  painter.3 

The  current  doctrine  among  the  inventors  of  the  New 
State  is  that  the  friends  of  the  Old  State  may  move  off 
with  their  effects,  but  have  no  right  to  speak  here. 

29.  Wednesday.  Fast  day.  Capt.  Dodge's  house  on 
fire. 

1  James  Hastie  of  Salem. 

2  John  Cabot,  son  of  Joseph,  and  grandson  of  the  first  John  Cabot.  He 
was  born  on  the  13th  of  January,  1765.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Dodge, 
who  died  on  the  17th  of  February,  1830.  He  died  on  the  28th  of  August, 
182 1.     His  daughter  Fanny  married  Judge  Charles  Jackson. 

3  Samuel  Blyth,  who  at  one  time  kept  a  boarding-school  for  young 
ladies,  near  St.  Peter's  Church. 


24  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

30.  Thursday.  My  keeping  room  chimney  on  fire 
again.  News  that  the  King  of  France  was  cast  away 
with  the  Fleet  at  Newfoundland,  but  that  he  and  a  few 
escaped,  and  almost  starve  in  a  fishing  vessel.  Walker, 
Lawson,  and  others  were  taken  and  seized  at  Piemonts, 
[and]  carried  before  the  Committee,  for  profaning  Fast 
day  by  going  to  Danvers  and  to  the  tavern. 

31.  Fryday.  Fair,  moderate  day.  The  contest  be- 
tween farmers  and  Salem  traders,  etc.,  as  to  price  of  meal 
begins ;  the  former  threaten  to  starve  the  seaports. 

February  I.  A  beautiful  day,  clear  and  serene.  News 
that  Gen'l  Washington's  army  had  attacked  Gen'l  Howe's 
lines  at  ,  and  had  carried  them  with  the  loss  of 

men  ;  this  not  true.     [It  is]  said  that  Colo.  Campbell  is 
to  be  committed  to  Concord  jail  this  day. 

2.  Su?iday.  Cloudy,  wind  S.  E.  N.  B.  John  Wedder- 
berne,  Esq.,  at  Blue  Castle  in  the  parish  of  Westmore- 
land in  Jamaica,  agent  of  W.  Vassal's,  Esq.,  plantation. 

9.  Sunday.  The  Church  not  opened,  Mr.  Gilchrist 1 
having  information  of  a  design,  in  case  he  preached  any 
more,  to  take  him  by  force  out  of  the  pulpit,  and  of  a 
design  to  prosecute  him  on  the  new  Province  Law.  Mr. 
Dana  told  me  that  it  was  thought  to  be  against  the  Law 
for  Churchmen  to  use  the  common  forms  of  prayer  in 
the  Desk.  Tempora  !  Cloudy  day,  but  moderate,  spring 
like  weather. 

10.  Monday.  Went  to  Boston  in  the  stage  with  Judge 
Sargeant,  Mr.  Wetmore,  etc. 

11.  Tuesday.     Snowed.     Went  to  Dr.  Lloyd's. 

12.  Wednesday.  Went  up  to  Cambridge  Court;  re- 
turned at  night. 

1  The  Rev.  William  McGilchrist  was  an  English  gentleman  of  much 
culture.  He  was  educated  at  Oxford,  and  was  rector  of  St.  Peter's  from 
1747,  until  his  death  in  April,  1780. 


1777.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  25 

13.  Went  to  see  Mr.  Payson  at  Chelsea,  respecting 
John's  living  with  him. 

14.  Fry  day.  Set  out  in  an  open  sleigh  for  Salem  with 
Mr  Vans  and  company,  and  was  nearly  frozen  in  passing 
Winter  hill ;  were  met  at  Medford  by  Mr.  Wetmore,  and 
returned  home  p.  m. 

15.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Good  sledding,  and 
much  wood  brought  to  market,  but  very  little  meat. 

19.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Dowse1  as  he  passed  the  street 
had  the  discipline  of  snow  balling. 

20.  Thursday.  Went  to  Boston  with  Katy  and  Sally 
in  Daland's  close  conveyance. 

21.  Fryday.      Dined  at  Mr.   Hitchburn's  with  Court 

and  Barr. 

22.  Saturday.  Hooper  and  Norwood  at  Superior 
Court ;  in  the  afternoon  set  out  from  Boston,  crossed 
Winnisimet  Ferry,  and  were  at  home  to  drink  tea. 

24.  Monday.     Snow.     J.  Williams  came  here. 

25.  Tuesday.  Snow  deep.  Dr.  Putnam  received  the 
discipline  of  snow  balling  as  he  passed  the  street. 

26.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  pleasant.  Difficult  passing 
to  and  from  Marblehead  for  depth  of  snow.  Letter  from 
G.  Deblois. 

27.  Thursday.  Clear  and  warm.  News  from  B.  P. 
and  W.  Cabot  in  England.  Colo.  Browne  and  Porter 
gone  to  France. 

28.  Fryday.  Cloudy  and  very  windy  and  cold.  When 
at  Boston  wrote  to  Eph.  Spooner  and  Thos.  Davis  by 
Mr  Lothrop,  as  to  their  note  to  Symonds  being  lost. 

March  1.  Saturday.  Cold  and  fair.  Mr.  Wetmore 
returned  from  B.  News  by  Mr.  Brimmer  of  Mrs.  Sew- 
all's  death,  and  of  her  child.  • 

2.  Sunday.    Cloudy  and  very  cold.    At  Mr.  Barnard's 

1  Joseph  Dowse  was  surveyor  of  the  port  of  Salem. 


26  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

meeting.  News  of  the  arrival  of  a  frigate  at  New  York, 
and  of  Gen'l  Howe's  sending  a  message  to  the  Congress 
upon  it. 

13.  Thursday.  Capt.  Leach  here,  a.  m.  Cloudy  and 
some  rain. 

14.  Fryday.  The  Cartel  sailed  for  Halifax.  Fair  and 
moderate  ;  wind,  N.  W. 

19.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  fair.  Yesterday  voted  to 
open  and  regulate  a  small  pox  hospital. 

22.  Saturday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Fleet  of  28  sail 
ships  in  Ipswich  Bay,  Marblehead  fishermen,  etc. 

23.  Sunday.  Moderate  —  clear;  wind  S.  W.  Priva- 
teer fired  at  while  going  out. 

24.  Monday.  Dark  and  cloudy  ;  wind  S.  E.  The 
Marblehead  fishermen,  who  bro't  news  of  the  28  sail 
ships,  saw  a  privateer  and  heard  a  gun,  and  imagined  all 
the  vessels  by  Jas.  Mugford's 1  accounts. 

25.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  exceedingly  cold.  Obliged  to 
stop  twice  to  warm  us  on  the  road  to  Ipswich. 

29.  Saturday.  Snow,  and  very  raw  and  cold  wind. 
At  night  returned  from  Ipswich. 

30.  Sunday.  In  the  morning  about  6  o'clock,  Mrs. 
Lowell2  died,  after  enduring  for  a  long  time,  and  with 

1  Captain  James  Mugford  commanded  the  Continental  cruiser  Frank- 
lin. 

2  Mrs.  Susannah  Lowell  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  Francis  Cabot. 
She  was  the  second  wife  of  John  Lowell,  whose  name  appears  so  often  in 
this  diary.  Mr.  Lowell  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Lowell  of  Newbury- 
port.  He  was  born  June  17,  1743,  and  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1760.  He  was  sent  to  Congress  in  1781,  was  made  a  judge  of  the  Court 
of  Appeals  in  17S2,  and  judge  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court  in  17S9.  By  his 
first  wife,  Sarah  Higginson,  he^  had  John,  the  father  of  John  Amory 
Lowell ;  by  his  second,  Susan,  daughter  of  Francis  Cabot,  he  had  Francis 
C.  Lowell,  founder  of  the  city  of  Lowell,  whose  sons  were  John,  Francis 
C,  and  Edward  J.  Lowell ;  by  his  third  wife,  Rebecca  Russell,  he  had 
Rebecca  R.,  married  Samuel  P.  Gardiner,  Rev.  Charles,  and  Elizabeth 
Cutts,  who  married  Warren  Dutton. 


1 777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  27 

uncommon  fortitude  and  patience,  great  distress  and 
pain.  Mr.  W.  maintains  and  passionately  the  doctrine 
of  January. 

31.  Monday.  Fair  and  moderate.  By  Mr.  Waldo  heard 
that  B.  was  well  at  Bordeaux,  and  seen  by  a  French 
gentleman  lately  arrived  from  thence  into  Boston.  Mr 
Seton  committed  to  jail,  being,  as  he  says,  invited  or 
desired  to  meet  some  of  the  committee  at  Browne's 
house  ;  there  he  went  to  meet  them,  but  none  were 
there,  and  the  Jailor  confined  him. 

April  2.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mrs.  Lowell's 
funeral. 

Bearers  —       G.  Dodge  T°  Lee 

H.  Derby  J.  Goodhue 

J.  Derby  Wm.  Pickman 

Procession  —  Mr.  Lowell  Mr.  Cabot  et  ux. 

W.  Gardner  and         Mrs.  Higginson 
J.  Barnard  et  ux.         Dabney  et  ux. 

The  Cabots  of  Beverly 
Mr.  Jackson  et  ux.     W.  Wetmore  et  ux. 

Mr.  Gardner's  family,  called  children  of  John,  pre- 
ceded the  other  relations.  N.  B.  Mr.  Appleton  not  in 
the  room  with  the  relations,  nor  in  the  procession  with 
them  ;  objections  to  Appleton,  Orne,  Blaney,  Brim- 
mer. 

3.  Thursday.  Rumours  of  attacking  Philadelphia, 
Ticonderoga,  etc.,  and  that  the  latter  is  in  a  weak  state, 
and  in  great  danger  if  attacked. 

4.  Friday.  Went  to  Boston  in  Verry's  2  stage  —  ex- 
ceeding cold  —  on  the  Ipswich  business. 

1  Mr.  Verry  drove  a  post-chaise  from  Salem  to  Boston  as  early  as  1774. 
The  price  to  Winnisimet  Ferry  was  3-/4- 


28  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

5.  Saturday.  Returned  in  the  stage  ;  Mr.  G.  foretells 
that  a  constitution  will  be  made  for  us  in  less  than  12 
months.     Hand  credo. 

6.  Sunday.  Fine,  moderate,  and  clear  morning ;  wind, 
N.  W.  Mrs.  Anderson  went  in  P.  Stage  for  Sewall's 
Point.  Qu.  Can  any  more  than  a  negociation  be  ex- 
pected within  Mr.  Goodale's  terms?    Confined  by  a  cold. 

10.  Thursday.  Warm  and  pleasant  ;  [wind]  S.  W. 
Mr.  Barrett  lodged  here  ;  news  [that]  Continental  bills 
[are]  credited  in  France. 

12.  Saturday.  Morning  fair  and  moderate.  J.  went 
with  S.  Orne  to  Chelsea  to  Mr.  Payson's  school.  Wrote 
Cab.  Gerrish x  by  Capt.  Emery  from  Newburyport,  in- 
closed in  letter  to  Mess.  Guardogui,  in  answer  to  Ger- 
rish's  letter  this  day  received;  also  sent  Capt.  Pyne's 
papers. 

13.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  wind  S.  Confined  by  a  cold, 
and  a  stitch  in  my  side. 

14.  Mo7iday.  Fair  and  windy.  Floyd  came  to  work 
in  the  garden,  which  he  agreed  to  take  this  season  to  the 
halves. 

15.  Tuesday.  Went  to  Concord.  Very  cold  and 
windy. 

16.  Wednesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Tom  Duckerfield 
returned  home. 

18.  Fry  day.  Rain.  Went  from  Concord  to  Cambridge. 

19.  Saturday.  From  Cambridge  to  Salem.  News 
from  Boston  that  E.  Sargent,  Esq.,  Green,  Mess.  Perkins, 
W.  Jackson,  and  Cary  were  taken  out  of  their  houses 
and  thrown  into  a  cart  and  carted  out  of  town  and  left 
on  the  neck,  and  charged  not  to  return  at  their  peril.2 

1  Cabot  Gerrish  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Gerrish  and  Margaret,  daughter 
of  the  first  John  Cabot.  He  died  in  the  summer  of  1777,  as  will  be  seen 
below. 

2  See  Boston  Gazette,  April  21,  1777. 


I777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  29 

20.  Sunday.  Rain.  Vessel  with  goods  from  Bordeaux 
into  Boston. 

21.  Monday.  In  the  paper,  Joyce's  insolent  publica- 
tion. Sitting,  the  General  Court.  Vessel  from  France 
into  Portsmouth,  with  powder,  goods,  cannon,  etc.,  as  it 
is  said.     Mr.  Seton  went  to  Boston  in  the  coach. 

25.  Fry  day.  Plentiful  rain.  Commodore  Manly  and 
McNeal  challenged  to  go  out  to  [meet]  the  English 
Cruisers  on  the  Coast.1 

26.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  but  warm  and  pleasant ;  wind 
S.  ;  rained  in  the  afternoon  and  [a]  great  part  of  the 
night.  W.  West's  store,  opposite  my  house,  broken 
open,  and  a  barrel  of  sugar  stolen  out  of  it.  News  of 
troops  arriving  at  New  York  ;  some  say  Russians,  others, 
Hessians.  Great  numbers  of  N.  Hampshire  Bills  found 
to  be  counterfeit.  Warrants  issue  in  this  state  and  N. 
Hampshire  against  suspected  persons. 

28.  Monday.  Fair,  N.  W.  The  Marblehead  people 
and  Salem  people  quarrel  for  bread  at  the  bakers,  and  a 
scramble  at  the  wharf  in  weighing  out  and  selling  Capt. 
Derby's  coffee.  Query,  is  it  not  become  a  duty  to  take 
care  for  tomorrow  ? 

30.  Wednesday.  Hard  frost  last  night.  Water  froze 
in  vessels  standing  exposed.  At  night  Mr.  Oliver  re- 
turned from  Boston.  News  that  1000  regulars  had 
landed  at  Fairfield,  and  more  were  landing  ;  that  Ticon- 
deroga  was  attacked,  —  this  by  letter  from  S.  Higginson  ; 
[and  that]  Burgoyne  was  coming  to  B.  with  10,000  troops. 
Credat  Apella. 

May  1.  Thursday.  Wind  N.  E.  Cold,  and  snow  in 
the  morning,  and  rain  also  the  remainder  of  the  day,  it 
being  Fast  day.  News  of  3000  or  4000  regulars  landing 
at  Fairfield,  and  marching  to  Danbury,  burning  some 

1  See  History  of  Marblehead,  p.  177. 


30  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

houses  and  taking  magazine  and  stores  without  opposi- 
tion ;  that  H.  Higginson  and  vessel  probably  were  taken. 

3.  Saturday.  John  came  home  with  Mr.  Payson  from 
Chelsea. 

4.  Sunday.  Warm.  p.  m.,  Mr.  Payson  preached  at 
Mr.  Dunbar's  1  meeting  house. 

5.  Monday.  Mr.  Mellen,2  with  [the]  Club,  in  the 
evening  at  my  house. 

6.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Alcock3  presents  to  the  committee 
a  list  of  people  to  be  carted  out  of  town. 

7.  Wednesday.  John  returns  to  Chelsea  with  Joe. 
Daland,  who  is  going  for  Brookline  in  an  empty  carriage. 
Rain,  p.  m. 

8.  Thursday.  Cloudy  day.  News  of  a  skirmish  at 
Brunswick,  and  that  we  lost  100  men.     Rain,  p.  m. 

10.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain,  a.  m.,  wind  E. 
Whiting  taken  out  for  examination,  and  committed  again 
for  further  examination. 

11.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning;  cold  and  frost 
last  night  ;  a.  m.,  the  wind  south,  and  warm.  News 
that  40  transports  were  on  the  coast,  and  that  6  of  them 
were  taken  ;  no  convoy  with  them.  Cloudy  and  cold, 
p.  m.  ;  wind  N.  E. 

15.  Thursday.  Fair  and  warm.  Drums  beat  at  5  in 
the  morning  for  draughting  men  for  the  Continental 
army,  pursuant  (as  said),  to  an  Act  of  the  General 
Court ;  on  enquiry  it  was  found  that  only  3  or  4  had  seen 
the  Act,  which  was  in  a  handbill  sent  to  the  Committee 
or  officers  of  militia.  The  alarm  list,  as  well  as  train 
band,  were  warned  and  attended,  and  nothing  [was]  at- 

1  Mr.  Dunbar  was  the  minister  of  the  First  Church  from  177210  1779. 
He  was  graduated  at  H.  C.  1767. 

2  Rev.  John  Mellen,  of  Hopkinton,  H.  C.  1741. 

3  Mansel  Alcock,  a  public  crier. 


1 777«]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  31 

tempted  in  the  morning  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  attended 
again,  and  nothing  was  done  further.     Libcrtas  ! 

16.  Fry  day.  Wind  south,  and  rain.  Bought  half  a 
cord  of  wood,  and  am  now  richer  in  wood  than  39/40 
of  the  whole  town,  having  part  of  2  loads  by  me  !  We 
crawl  about  and  exist,  but  cannot  be  said  truly  to  live. 
It  is  said  we  have  full  enjoyment  of  our  liberty,  but 
where  is  the  proof  of  it  ? 

17.  Saturday.  Fair  and  pleasant ;  wind  N.  W.  News 
that  Col.  Holland  is  taken  in  Connecticut;  a  parson 
committed  in  Boston  for  treason  ;  and  that  politics  be- 
gin to  wear  a  new  face.  W.  Cooper *  et  alii  likely  to 
go  astern. 

18.  Sunday.  Fair  and  warm  ;  wind  south.  Went  to 
Salem  hospital. 

19.  Monday.  Rain,  p.  m.  The  representatives  for 
Salem  accept. 

20.  Tuesday.  Fair  ;  wind  south.  Good  news  from 
Ipswich  that  the  town  would  choose  but  2  representa- 
tives at  most,  and  Story  was  left  out. 

24.  Saturday.  Clear  and  warm.  Floyd  plants  the 
beans,  squashes,  etc.  News  that  Maj.  Hawley  is  not 
well  enough  to  come  to  Court ;  that  W.  Cooper  is  not 
chosen  representative  of  Boston. 

27.  Tuesday.  Small  pox  broke  out  in  many  places  in 
Beverly. 

28.  Wednesday.  Began  to  inoculate  at  Beverly,  but 
the  town  meeting  votes  were  against  their  proceeding 
further.     A  fair  day  and  pleasant. 

30.  Fry  day.     Clear  and  very  warm  day.     News  that 

1  William  Cooper  was  son  of  the  Rev.  William  Cooper,  H.  C.  1712, 
who  was  a  colleague  with  Dr.  Colman  at  Brattle  Street  Church,  and  a 
brother  of  Rev.  Samuel  Cooper,  H.  C.  1743,  a  classmate  of  Mr.  Pynchon. 
He  was  town  clerk  of  Boston  for  fifty  years. 


32  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

Gen'l  Howe  had  sent  to  Gen'l  Carlton  for  4000  of  his 
troops,  and  he  to  act  on  the  defensive  ;  and  that  no  more 
than  2000  foreign  troops  are  expected  from  Europe  this 
spring  to  America. 

31.  Saturday.  By  Mr.  Wr  that  the  great  and  vocifer- 
ous W.  Cooper  had  no  votes  either  for  representative 
or  councillor.  Warm  day.  News  that  very  few  troops, 
and  no  foreign  troops,  are  to  come  this  season  from 
Europe. 

June  1.  Sunday.  Clear  and  warm  ;  wind  south.  At 
Mr.  Oliver's  in  the  evening. 

2.  Monday.  Town  meeting  as  to  inoculating  for  small 
pox.  Rain  in  the  morning  ;  clearing  off  warm.  John 
with  Warner  went  to  Maiden. 

6.  Fryday.     Went  to  D.  Marshes.     Warm  weather. 

7.  Saturday.  Very  warm ;  wind  south.  The  news 
of  the  battle  in  the  Jerseys  comes  to  nothing. 

20.  Fryday.    Fair  and  pleasant.    Returned  from  Court. 

21.  Saturday.  Fair.  J.  Prince,  from  Newport,  [says] 
that  the  regulars  were  proceeding  towards  Delaware. 

22.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  wind  N.  E.  At  Mr.  Barnard's 
meeting. 

27.  Fryday.  Very  warm  a.  m.  ;  cloudy  p.  m.  News 
that  the  Americans  were  skirmishing  with  Gen'l  Howe's 
troops  on  their  march  in  the  Jerseys  ;  that  part  of  Gen'l 
Carlton's  regulars  had  joined  Gen'l  Howe's  troops  at  New 
York  ;  that  the  northern  portion  of  the  American  army 
were  in  want  of  clothes  and  supplies,  and  not  in  so  good 
spirits  as  we  had  heard,  and  not  in  a  condition  to  oppose 
Howe  directly.  A  plentiful  rain  with  thunder  in  the 
afternoon  and  night. 

28.  Saturday.  Warm  and  cloudy.  News  that  the 
monopoly  act  is  suspended ;  that  Gen'l  Howe  is  returned 
to  Brunswick,  and  is  intrenching;  that   12  or   15  wood 


1 777.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  33 

sloops  at  [the]  eastward  were  taken  and  burnt  ;  Tom 
Bufton  in  one  of  them. 

30.  Monday.  News  that  Gen'l  Howe  left  Brunswick 
hastily,  embarked  his  whole  army,  and  went  to  Staten 
Island  ;  was  closely  pursued  by  some  riflemen,  and  lost 
many  men  in  skirmishes. 

The  Acts  of  the  State  absolutely  prohibit  every  kind 
of  depreciation  of  the  paper  currency,  either  by  words 
or  actions  ;  yet  every  trader,  huckster,  marketman,  and 
peddler,  with  open  mouths,  unitedly  declare  and  publickly 
say  it  is  of  little  or  no  value ;  offer  to  take  anything  in 
payment  for  their  wares  or  for  their  debts  except  paper. 
Broadcloth  said  to  be  £6.  3.  4.  per  yard,  and  scarcely 
any  to  be  had.     B.  Tea  at  7  and  8  dollars  per  pound. 

July  1,  2,  3.  Tuesday,  Wednesday  >  and  Thursday. 
News  that  Gen'l  Carlton,  with  an  army  of  considerable 
numbers,  had  arrived  at  Crown  Point,  which  came  in 
several  ways,  and  in  a  letter  from  Gen'l  Schuyler. 

4.  Fryday.  Hen.  Higginson  at  Boston  in  a  Flagg 
from  Halifax.     Cloudy  at  night  and  signs  of  rain. 

5.  Saturday.  Very  warm  and  clear.  Mr.  O.  set  out 
for  Danvers  between  9  and  10  in  the  evening. 

6.  Sunday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O. 
here.  At  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting.  Mons.  Charier  came 
to  Salem  yesterday. 

7.  Monday.  Fair  and  pleasant ;  wind  N.  E.  Letters 
from  B.  at  Bordeaux  per  Capt.  Higginson ;  Harry  Higgin- 
son returned  to  Salem  in  the  hour  of  his  brother's  return. 

8.  Tuesday.     Inferior  Court  sits. 

12.  Saturday.  Capt.  Wms.  from  General  Court  [says] 
that  Gen'l  Prescott  was  taken  by  a  party  from  Provi- 
dence, and  carried  off  from  his  bed  in  the  night,  and 
obliged  to  march  without  hat,  etc.,  much  as  Gen'l  Lee 
had  been  before  him  ;  and  that  Ticonderoga  was  evacu- 
3 


34  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

ated  by  and  his  army  of  about  5000  men  in  a  dis- 

graceful manner,  very  little  being  brought  off  with  them 
more  than  their  muskets  and  swords.  Can  this  be  true, 
when  in  all  the  late  publications  we  find  the  army  in 
high  spirits  and  eager  to  meet  the  Regulars,  and  some 
longing  to  rap  them  over  the  knuckles  ? 

13.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cold;  rain  in  the  evening. 
At  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting.  Betty  Whitworth  went  to 
Salem  Hospital. 

14.  Monday.  Cloudy;  wind  N.  News  that  Manly 
had  sent  to  the  eastward  an  English  frigate  of  32  guns. 

15.  Tuesday.     News  of  Ticonderoga  evacuated. 

16.  Wednesday.  News  that  many  were  ambushed  and 
killed  at  retreating  from  Ticonderoga. 

17.  Thursday.  Clear  and  warm.  The  Fox  frigate 
said  to  be  taken  and  carried  into  Halifax. 

19.  Sent  to  Asa  Upton,  by  his  wife,  two  original  deeds : 
yos.  Pope  to  Benj.  Upton,  and  Benj.  Upton  to  Asa  Upton. 
By  Parson  Hitchcock's  letter,  there  were,  two  days  be- 
fore Ticonderoga  was  deserted,  4000  continental  soldiers 
and  1000  militia. 

21.  Monday.  News  of  40  transports  at  Newport, 
bound  westward. 

22.  Tuesday,  Fair  and  clear.  Hastie  and  Capt.  Lee 
go  to  Boston.  Rained  all  night.  Mob  at  Salem  demand 
sugar,  and  the  stores  are  opened. 

23.  Wednesday.  Warm,  fine  growing  weather.  The 
ladies  rise  and  mob  for  coffee  ;  cart  it  and  the  owner, 
Boylston. 

24.  Thursday.  Fair,  with  northwest  wind.  News  is 
confirmed  that  Manly  is  taken  by  the  Cabot  and  Rain- 
bow frigates,  and  carried  into  Halifax ; 2  Capt.  Stanley 
commander  of  the  Rainbow.  Ladies  mob  again  on 
Copp's  Hill. 

1  See  History  of  Marble  head,  p.  17S  ;  Hutchinson's  Diary ',  ii.  p.  157. 


i777.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  35 

26.  Saturday.  A  countryman  beat  for  not  taking 
paper  for  his  meat,  which  (he  says)  he  had  sold  before. 

28.  Monday.  Went  to  Chelsea  with  John,  and  to 
Boston.  Bad  news  from  Ticonderoga,  [the]  Regulars 
advancing  and  14  towns  submitting  to  them. 

29.  Tuesday.  Returned  from  Boston.  The  story  of 
Manly's  being  taken  not  credited,  he  having  been  seen 
a  few  days  past  at  the  eastward. 

31.  Thursday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  It  is  said  again  that 
Manly  is  at  Halifax,  and  ill  treated  ;  also  that  a  fleet  of 
100  sail  was  seen  this  afternoon  off  Gloucester,  standing 
northward  ;  expresses  were  sent  to  Boston  and  greatly 
alarmed  the  inhabitants  ;  Friday  evening  an  express 
was  sent  from  Salem  to  Boston  to  contradict  the  story. 

August  1.  Fry  day.  Warm  ;  some  rain  in  the  after- 
noon.    Nothing  further  from  the  fleet. 

2.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  No  confirma- 
tion of  the  rumour  as  to  the  fleet.  Mr.  Lewis  in  Salem 
in  the  evening.  By  Colo.  Glover's  letters,  received  at 
Boston,  it  seems  that  the  fleet  was  going  for  Delaware. 
People  of  middle  station  and  others  say  that  if  the  fleet 
came  here  they  would  not  oppose  them,  having  to  fight 
for 

4.  Monday.  News  that  Gen'l  Howe  had  landed  at 
Newcastle,  within  18  miles  of  Philadelphia,  some  say 
within  40  miles;  that  there  had  been  a  battle  near 
Ticonderoga,  and  the  Provincials  had  driven  the  Regu- 
lars from  all  their  posts  into  Ticonderoga,  and  had  killed 
or  taken  900  or  1000  men  ;  this  comes  2  or  3  ways,  into 
Boston  and  from  New  Hampshire. 

5.  Tuesday.  Rumoured  that  the  fleet  does  not  ap- 
pear at  Philadelphia,  and  it  is  supposed  that  it  is  gone 
off.     Rain. 

6.  Wednesday.     Cloudy,  with  N.  E.  wind.     Mrs.  Wet- 


36  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

more1  taken  ill  at  12  o'clock  last  night,  and  on  Wednes- 
day night,  past  12,  was  delivered  of  a  fine  boy;  Dr. 
Holyoke  in  attendance. 

9.  Saturday.  Very  warm  ;  some  rain  in  the  evening. 
News  that  Gen'l  Washington  passed  the  Delaware,  and 
that  Howe  returned  to  the  Hook. 

10.  Sunday.     Mr.  Diman  preached  at  Mr.  Dunbar's. 

13.  Wednesday.  Warning  for  draughting  men  —  each 
sixth  able  bodied  man  ;  a  cloudy  day  in  two  senses. 
I  offered  10  dollars  a  cord  for  wood,  and  could  get  none. 

14.  Thursday.  Berry's  cord  of  wood  received.  Train- 
ing day ;  Mr.  Lewis  and  Lamb.  Very  warm  day  ;  rained 
in  the  night. 

16.  Saturday.  Fair  and  cool.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips 
here  from  Middletown. 

18.  Monday.  Some  rain  in  the  morning  ;  cloudy  in 
the  evening.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips,  with  Mr.  Wetmore, 
go  to  Boston  in  the  stage.  News  that  the  Regulars, 
Indians,  etc.,  who  attacked  a  party  of  Americans  going 
to  Fort  Stanwix,  were  defeated  and  lost  200. 

19.  Tuesday.  In  the  evening  Dr.  Eliot  here.  Fair. 
At  Mr.  Orne's. 

20.  Wednesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne  :  he  ill ;  his  mem- 
ory affected.  News  of  an  engagement  at  Bennington  ; 
that  the  lines  of  the  Regulars  were  forced  and  carried, 
and  400  prisoners  and  4  pieces  of  brass  cannon  taken 
from  them.     Very  hot. 

21.  Thursday.     Very  warm.     Mr.  Parker  here. 

22.  Fryday.  Very  hot.  News  in  a  handbill  of  the 
victory  at  Bennington.  Mrs.  Sargent's  deed  from  W. 
B.  Browne,  of  house,  etc.,  by  Lillys,  dated  Oct.  28,  1768, 
for  ,£400,  paid  by  her. 

1  Katharine,  second  daughter  of  William  Pynchon,  was  married  to  Wil- 
liam Wetmore  November  5,  1776.     She  was  born  February  25,  1754. 


i777.]  DIARY  OF    WILLIAM  PYXCHOX.  37 

23.  Saturday.  News  confirmed  as  to  the  Bennington 
affair.     Very  hot  day. 

24.  Sunday.    '  Fair.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne. 

25.  Monday.     Some  rain.     S.  Sewall  here. 

26.  Tuesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne  went  home  just  be- 
fore the  rain,  which  was  heavy.  Mr.  Wetmore  went  to 
Boston. 

27.  Wednesday.  Fair.  News  that  Fort  Stanwix  is 
besieged  by  3000  men.    What,  this  too  ?    Are  we  to  lose 

this  also  ? 

28.  Thursday.  Fast  day  ;  fair.  Chas.  Phelps  here. 
Capt.  Haraden l  arrived  with  his  privateer ;  says,  by 
news  from  Bilboa  at  Bordeaux,  that  C.  Gerrish's  life  was 
despaired  of,  and  his  vessel  ordered  to  Salem  from 
thence  ;  that  Capt.  Cleaveland  was  to  sail  with  Haraden, 
and  it  'is  supposed  that  he  sailed  the  day  after  him, 
about  July  10th. 

30.  Saturday.  Fair  and  cool.  Capt.  Gerrish's  [vessel] 
into  Marblehead  from  Bilboa,  with  rigging,  etc.,  for  a  74 
gun  ship  to  be  built.  Gerrish  was  left  ill  at  Bilboa,  and 
his  life  nearly  despaired  of.  The  news  of  the  defeat  and 
raising  the  siege  at  Fort  Stanwix  contradicted.  John 
came  home  from  Chelsea. 

31.  Sunday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  At  Mr.  Barnard's 
meeting.  After  service  in  the  morning,  he,  from  the 
pulpit,  Invited  all  of  other  communions  in  other  of  the 
neighboring  churches  to  tarry  and  partake  with  the 
communicants  of  the  church,  which  was  new  to  me. 

September  1.     Monday.     Fair   and    moderate.     News 

1  Captain  Jonathan  Haraden.  Mr.  Haraden,  a  recent  writer  says, 
"  was  one  of  the  bravest  officers  and  best  seamen  who  sailed  from  Salem 
in  a  privateer.  His  desperate  actions  and  wonderful  triumphs,  his  con- 
summate courage  and  severe  intrepidity,  entitle  him  to  a  place  in  history 
by  the  side  of  Paul  Jones,  Decatur,  and  Farragut."  {History  of  Essex 
County,  p.  3S8.) 


38  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

that  Admiral  Howe's  fleet  is  gone  up  Chesapeake  Bay, 
and  is  about  landing  near  Baltimore.  Mr.  Sewall  bought 
a  house  and  land  at  Manchester,  with  3  good  rooms  on 
the  floor,  last  month,  and  this  day  bought  a  hhd.  of  W.  I. 
Rum  at  Salem  of  113  gallons,  @  36/,  which  is  deemed 
a  low  price,  and  the  house  and  land  cost  but  4/  more 
than  the  hhd.  of  rum. 

3.  Wednesday.  Very  fine  day.  News  of  Cabot  Ger- 
rish's  death  at  Bilboa. 

4.  Thursday.  Fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  returned 
from  Boston.     Went  to  Mr.  O.'s  farm. 

5.  Fry  day.  Very  fine  day.  Gen'l  Howe  said  to  be 
within  50  miles  of  Philadelphia  ;  news  that  Colo.  Frye 
was  shot  at  the  eastward. 

6.  Saturday.  Mr.  Lowell  in  town  ;  1400  prisoners 
from  Bennington  to  Boston. 

7.  Sunday.  News  of  the  taking  of  an  admiral,  said 
to  be  Gayton. 

8.  Monday.     Club  here. 

9.  Tuesday.  Heavy  guns  at  Boston.  Cloudy  ;  plen- 
tiful rain  at  night. 

10.  Wednesday.  Bro.  Mitchel  in  town  ;  Dr.  Putnam, 
D.  Lamb,  Orne. 

n.  Thursday.  At  Mr.  Orne's.  Bro.  Mitchel  went 
to  Manchester.  Peter  Frye,  Junr.,1  was  bro't  out  to  be 
shot  in  the  Common,  Boston  ;  his  coffin  was  bro't  with 
him,  and  the  dead  body  of  one 2  who  was  shot  for  deser- 
tion was  shewn  to  him  ;  then  he  was  blinded  and  re- 

1  Peter  Frye  was  the  son  of  Colonel  Peter  Frye,  who  married  Love  Pick- 
man.  He  entered  the  Provincial  army,  and  was  sentenced  to  be  shot  for 
desertion,  but  through  the  intercession  of  his  grandmother,  Madam  Pick- 
man  (Love  Rawlins),  with  Washington,  he  was  reprieved. 

2  Elijah  Woodward  was  shot  on  the  Common  for  desertion,  on  Thurs- 
day, September  nth,  and  Peter  Frye  was  reprieved,  as  above  stated. 
See  Boston  Gazette,  September  15,  1777. 


1 777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYA'CHON.  39 

quired  to  kneel,  and  the  soldiers  made  ready  ;  but  Peter 
was  reprieved,  being  deemed  a  lunatic  (as  he  was  all 
his  days). 

12.  Fry  day.  Rain.  Yesterday  James  Lawrence  con- 
fessed the  stealing  12/  from  B.  Whitworth,  and  his  put- 
ting it  into  John's  pocket  for  fear  of  the  conjurer.  Mrs. 
Lawrence  had  notice  to  provide  for  her  son,  as  we 
could  not  keep  him  the  fall  and  winter.  She  came  and 
said  she  would  take  him.     Mr.  Wetmore. 

15.  Monday.  Katy  Wetmore  rode  out ;  Mr.  W.  went 
to  Boston  in  the  evening. 

17.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  with  fine  rain  ;  wind  N.  E. 
Pd.  Warner  for  John's  passage  to  Chelsea. 

18.  TJiursday.  Rain.  About  noon  Capt.  Cleaveland 
came  into  Beverly.     Wm.  came  home. 

22.  Monday.  Rain.  Gen'l  Howe  at  Chads  Ford,  [30] 
miles  from  Philadelphia,  with  part  of  his  army. 

23.  Tuesday.  Cloudy.  John  set  out  for  Chelsea  with 
Wm.  and  S.  Orne  in  Daland's  chaise.  New  demand 
for  men  on  account  of  some  advantages  gained  by  Gen'l 
Burgoyne.     Rain. 

26,27.  Fry  day  and  Saturday.  Rumours  that  Fort  Ed- 
ward and  Ticonderoga  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  Gen'l  Burgoyne's  army  worsted,  many  being 
killed  and  taken  prisoners,  and  he  badly,  some  say  mor- 
tally, wounded ;  by  Mr.  Lowell  that  Gen'l  Gates  writes 
that  he  has  the  greatest  encouragement  to  think  he 
shall  soon  rout  the  whole  army  and  disperse  them. 

29.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold,  with  N.  E.  wind.  B. 
went  to  Cambridge  with  S.  O.,  and  returned  at  night. 

30.  Tuesday.  Cold  in  the  morning,  warm  in  the 
afternoon.  Went  to  Newburyport  Court,  and  no  storm 
the  whole  week.  Saturday  a  fine  day,  and  I  returned 
from  Ipswich  to  Salem,  being  the  4th  of  October.    There 


40  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [October, 

the  news  was  that  there  had  been  a  battle  at  Schuylkill, 
and  that  Gen'l  Howe  lost,  in  passing  the  river,  3000  men 
or  more,  Washington  but  1200,  and  that  Howe  had  re- 
treated ;  others  suppose  Howe  to  be  in  possession  of 
Philadelphia  ;  Parson  G.,  news  that  lately  4000  militia 
in  the  rear  of  Howe's  army  were  all  to  1 1  men  killed 
and  taken  prisoners,  which  he  says  may  be  depended 
upon.      Qucere. 

October  5.  Sunday.  Fair,  pleasant ;  wind  S.  W.  The 
late  news  of  Howe's  defeat  said  to  be  groundless,  and 
the  reporter  [to  have]  run  off. 

7.  Tuesday.  Marit.  Court  here.  News  confirming 
the  great  slaughter  of  Gen'l  Howe's  troops.  Very  warm 
day. 

9.  Thursday.  Cloudy,  with  some  rain.  Rumour  that 
Philadelphia  was  taken  by  Gen'l  Tryon,  and  3000  troops 
from  New  York,  who  marched  thro'  the  Jerseys  and 
crossed  the  Delaware,  said  to  come  by  last  post,  and 
that  Gen'l  Burgoyne  was  entrenching  and  building  bar- 
racks at  ,  and  was  advantageously  situated. 

10,  11.  Fry  day  and  Saturday.  That  Gen'l  Gates  could 
not  attack  his  troops  with  a  prospect  of  success. 

12.  Sunday.  Rain  last  evening.  The  news  of  Phila- 
delphia contradicted,  and  it  is  said  that  Gen'l  Mifflin  was 
in  the  city  with  5  or  6000  American  troops,  and  that  all 
the  inhabitants  who  would  not  take  arms  were  removed 
with  their  effects  out  of  the  city  ;  that  Gen'l  Howe's 
army  was  between  Gen'l  Washington  and  the  city,  and 
that  Gen'l  Mifflin  was  to  set  fire  to  the  city,  if  he  could 
not  hold  it  against  Gen'l  Howe. 

14,  15.  Tuesday  and  Wednesday.  Gen'l  Burgoyne's 
army,  in  part  worsted,  and  Gen'l  Fraser  killed,  are  forced 
to  retreat. 

17.  Fry  day.     Cloudy.      Capt.   Fiske  came  in.     News 


I777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHOX.  41 

from  Washington's  army,  and  from  Gen'l  Gates,  of  a 
battle  at  the  westward  and  one  at  the  southward,  each 
greatly  in  favour  of  the  Americans  ;  1000  of  Burgoyne's 
troops  killed  and  taken,  and  the  rest  surrounded ;  and  of 
great  slaughter  among  Howe's  army;  Gen'l  Sullivan  and 
many  Americans  killed  or  taken,  and  Howe  retreating 
above  9  miles  back  from  his  encampment. 

18.  Saturday.  Some  rain,  and  cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E. 
W.  Gray  returned  from  his  journey  for  Virginia.  Ru- 
mours come  from  Boston  that  the  last  accounts  of  the 
advantages  gained  over  the  Regulars  want  confirmation, 
some  say  are  very  far  from  truth  ;  and  that  the  advan- 
tages gained  at  the  northward  are  far  less  than  reported 
to  have  been. 

21.  Tuesday.  Court  for  trial  of  Marblehead  Tories. 
News  that  Gen'l  Burgoyne  and  his  army  have  surren- 
dered themselves,  arms,  baggage,  and  50  brass  cannon, 
to  Gen'l  Gates. 

22.  Wednesday.  The  Court  of  Special  Sessions  ad- 
journed without  day,  the  respondents  being  all  acquitted 
who  were  tried,  and  nolle proseqtii  entered  against  Bowen 
and  Wormsted. 

23.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  News  that  an  ex- 
press has  come  to  Boston  from  the  army,  confirming  the 
account  that  Gen'l  Burgoyne  and  his  army  are  all  pris- 
oners, and  to  be  sent  home  to  England.  Rejoicings  at 
Boston,  Salem,  Marblehead,  Portsmouth,  Newbury,  and 
at  Gloucester.  Went  to  Boxford,  and  returned  on  Fry- 
day. 

24.  Fryday.  On  my  return  from  Boxford,  after  the 
rejoicing  for  victory  over  [the]  army,  I  found  my  windows 
broken,  as  well  as  my  neighbours'.  Upon  enquiring 
whom  I  was  to  thank  for  it,  I  was  told,  myself,  for  not 
being  at  home.     On  observing  that  those  who  were  at 


42  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [October, 

home  fared  no  better  than  the  absent,  I  was  answered 
that  all  Tories  should  be  served  alike  ;  others  said  it  was 
only  an  accident,  and  the  effect  only  of  extravagant  re- 
joicing, and  must  not  be  noticed  while  I  had  any  windows 
left.  The  last  was  a  needless  caution  to  me,  so  I  con- 
tentedly boarded  up  my  windows.1 

1  The  following  extract  from  a  letter,  written  at  a  somewhat  earlier  date, 
April  16,  1775,  illustrates  the  trials  to  which  suspected  persons  were  sub- 
jected :  — 

"  Mr.  Cabot,  Dr.  Putnam,  Mr.  Goodale,  and  many  others  talk  of  remov- 
ing, some  of  them  out  of  Salem,  others  out  of  the  Province.  The  threats 
and  insults  of  the  rabble  have  been  insupportable  to  many.  Col.  Pick- 
man,  Capt.  Poynton,  Mr.  Paine,  and  several  from  other  towns  are  gone 
to  England.  Col.  Browne's  tenant,  Vining,  and  Mr.  Hooper's  tenant,  at 
Danvers,  are  ordered  by  the  committemen  to  depart  with  their  stock  and 
effects,  and  to  leave  the  farms  to  lie  unimproved.  None  dares  to  build  on 
Col.  Browne's  land  where  the  fire  was,  viz :  where  Mansfield's  shop  stood. 
The  church  windows  and  Col.  Browne's  have  repeatedly  been  broken  by 
the  rabble.  People  of  property  had  been  so  often  threatened  and  insulted 
that  at  length  several  more  proposed  to  leave  the  town  of  Salem.  The 
merchants  began  to  be  alarmed  at  it,  and  at  the  March  meeting  obtained 
a  committee  of  30  persons,  some  of  them  friends  of  the  government,  to 
make  inquiry  and  prosecute  window  breakers  and  other  offenders.  The 
committee  exerted  themselves  so  far  as  to  cause  the  windows  to  be  mended 
by  the  offenders,  and  reduced  the  bawling  and  other  insults  of  the  boys 
and  rabble  to  sneering  and  hissing  at  people  in  the  streets,  and  other 
more  secret  abuses,  as  daubing  and  painting  doors  and  windows,  tarring 
houses,  etc.,  etc.  Soon  after  Dr.  Warren's  oration  on  the  5th  of  March, 
in  the  Old  South  meeting-house,  one,  Dr.  Bolton,  a  lame,  droll  body,  at  the 
instance  of  some  of  the  army  who  were  affronted  at  Dr.  Warren  and  party, 
pronounced  a  mock  oration  from  Cordis'  balcony,  grossly  reflecting  on 
Warren,  Cooper,  Hancock,  and  other  Whiggs,  and  rendering  them  as 
ridiculous  as  he  could.  The  gentlemen  of  the  army  have  established  a 
Congress  here  for  taking  in  hand  the  prinkers  and  other  abusive  persons  ; 
the  Congress  meets  weekly  ;  the  punishment  will  be  tar  and  feathers, 
it  is  supposed.  The  inhabitants  here  are  more  and  more  insulted  by 
the  soldiers,  who  in  excuse  say  that  no  other  conduct  can  now  secure 
themselves  against  the  people  ;  many  of  them  are  daily  moving  out  of 
Boston  to  live  in  the  country,  some  also  from  Charlestown  and  Roxbury. 
On  the  other  hand,  all  friends  of  the  government  are  insulted  in  the  coun- 
try :  some  have  been  seized,  yoked,  and  driven  like  cattle ;  one  or  more 
hath  been  bound  out  to  hard  labour.    One  respectable^  householder,  in 


1 777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  43 

25,  26.  Saturday  and  Sunday.  The  talk  is  of  calling 
a  town  meeting,  relating  to  the  windows  broken. 

particular,  was  bound  and  let  out  to  several  masters  at  different  days,  and 
was  sent  or  carried  to  meeting  on  Sundays  as  a  criminal,  and  at  length 
was  forced  to  attend  to  a  sermon  preached  principally  for  him,  as  an 
enemy  of  his  country,  till,  weary  of  insults,  he  subscribed  a  confession 
prepared  for  him,  and  was  gazetted. 

"  The  Provincial  Congress  now  sitting  keep  all  their  councils  and  doings 
a  profound  secret ;  part,  however,  hath  leaked  out.  It  is  said  they  have 
been  endeavoring  to  raise  an  army  of  20  or  25,000  men,  to  assemble  at 
Worcester,  where  they  have  a  magazine  of  stores  and  provisions  for  such 
an  army,  and  sufficient  to  support  it  12  months  ;  but  in  Essex  County  so 
many  delegates  dissented  that  the  project,  as  is  supposed,  must  be  laid 
aside,  or  referred  to  the  Continental  Congress.  T.  Pickering  is  chosen 
Colonel  of  Salem  minute  men,  and  at  the  muster  of  the  alarm  list  there, 
the  ministers  (excepting  only  Mr.  Gilchrist  and  old  Mr.  Barnard)  appeared 
with  carnal  weapons  and  accoutrements,  and  were  viewed  and  examined 
by  the  Colo,  and  officers.  This  appeared  very  droll  to  many,  as  not  a  soul 
of  those  officers  had  ventured  to  subscribe  to  the  warning  given  in  the 
newspapers  and  other  notifications  for  the  muster.  Many  of  the  people, 
however,  refused  to  follow  the  example  of  their  ministers  in  submitting  to 
be  examined  by  such  officers.  Threats  were  given  out  by  the  rabble 
against  all  who  neglected  to  appear,  but  their  threats  were  not  put  into 
execution.  The  fishermen  of  Marblehead  are  excessively  high  and  out- 
rageous, and  some  of  their  shoremen  declare  publickly  that  as  soon  as 
Gen'l  Gage  shall  begin  to  execute  any  of  his  orders,  that  every  friend  of 
government  there  is  to  be  immediately  seized  and  destroyed  ;  that  neither 
parents  nor  children  shall  be  spared.  A  deacon  of  note  declares  that  he 
would  kill  his  own  children  if  he  should  find  them  to  be  tories,  and  that 
none  will  be  allowed  to  be  neuters.  But  those  who  talk  the  loudest  gener- 
ally do  least.  Parson  Nichols  is  removed  to  Boston,  and  left  the  church 
here.  Mr.  Fisher's  family  are  gone  to  Portsmouth ;  he  continues  at 
Salem,  at  the  earnest  desire  of  the  merchants  ;  they  cannot  do  business 
without  aid  of  his  office.  Mr.  Fayerweather  hath  purchased  a  seat  at 
Cambridge,  and  Colo.  Williams  could  now  dispose  of  both  farms,  but  the 
difficulty  of  the  times  prevents  it. 

"  By  the  Nautilus  and  Falcon,  men-of-war,  just  arrived  here,  we  hear 
that  the  General  and  Admiral  have  received  their  orders  ;  that  seven 
regiments,  each  of  750,  rank  and  file,  600  marines,  500  light  horse,  Major- 
Generals  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  are  embarked  in  23  transports, 
and  are  daily  expected  here  ;  a  number  of  frigates,  with  ,£220,000  sterling, 
attending,  and  coming  with  the  fleet ;  some  of  them  sailed  the  4th  of 
March ;  the  troops  not  to  act  till  the  colony  assemblies  have  time  to  con- 


44  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYXCHON.    [November, 

29.  Wednesday.  N.  E.  storm  ;  cold.  The  town  meet- 
ing vote  their  disapprobation  of  breaking  the  windows, 
and  recommend  to  the  rioters  to  repair  them  and  make 
satisfaction  for  the  damage  done  on  that  day  of  rejoi- 
cing. News  that  17  ships  were  greatly  damaged,  and 
were  driven  back  from  chev.  de  frise,  and  1700  men 
made  prisoners  ;  that  Gen'l  Howe  was  taking  off  the 
roofs  of  the  houses  to  make  boats  for  his  army  to  re- 
treat on  from  the  city  over  the  river. 

31.  Fry  day.     Clouds  go  off,  and  it  is  clear  at  noon. 

Judges  and  rulers,  as  at  the  beginning,  of  our  own 
choosing,  learned  men.  The  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court, 
in  his  account  on  file,  puts  20  in  the  column  of  shillings. 
The  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  spells  well,  as  Mr.  Peirce 
says  —  thus,  the  word . 

November  1.  Saturday.  Very  cold  last  night,  and 
the  ice  this  morning  would  almost  bear.  B.  went  to 
Chelsea  for  Mr.  Wetmore. 

4.    Tuesday.     Superior  Court  sat. 

6  and  7.  Thursday  and  Fryday.  Fair.  Gen'l  Bur- 
goyne's  army  arrive  in  Charlestown  in  part.1 

sider  and  answer  the  parliament's  proposals  as  to  taxation.  Mr.  Paxton, 
we  hear,  hath  been  very  sick,  and  't  is  said  is  dying.  Mr.  Hancock  at 
length  is  married  to  Miss  Quincy ;  he  with  the  Adams's,  Church,  Warren, 
Kent,  etc.,  etc.,  live  in  the  country  with  their  families.  Dr.  Whittaker 
hath,  at  his  own  risque,  begun  to  build  a  meeting-house  on  Hunt's  land, 
near  the  school-house,  for  his  party  ;  the  other  part  of  his  congregation 
have  purchased  the  Assembly  House,  and  [have]  Mr.  Hopkins  for  their 
minister.  If  Salem  goes  on  thus  increasing  in  meeting-houses  and  minis- 
ters, will  they  not  be  the  most  religious  people  on  the  face  of  the  whole 
earth  ?  Thus  far  our  good  friend  hath  ventured  in  politics  and  anecdotes, 
but  as  neither  he  nor  I  can  say  that  ^  part  is  true,  you  will  doubtless  keep 
all  to  yourself  and  family." 

1  The  duty  of  guarding  and  conducting  General  Burgoyne  and  his  army 
to  Cambridge  was  assigned  to  General  Glover,  whose  name  appears  so 
often  in  this  Diary,  and  whose  brilliant  career  during  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution had  made  him  famous  throughout  the  country.  He  was  the  officer 
of  the  day  at  the  execution  of  the  unfortunate  Andre. 


1 777-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  45 

14  and  15.  Fry  day  and  Saturday.  Cold.  John  came 
home  from  Chelsea  with  Mr.  Fox. 

17.  Monday.  Snow.  On  news  of  Gen'l  Howe  being 
taken  at  Marblehead,  the  people  break  Mr.  Hooper's  and 
others'  windows,  to  prove  their  true  joy. 

20.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving.  At  Mr.  Dunbar's 
meeting. 

21.  Fry  day.     Mr.  Lowell  and  Brimmer  in  town. 

22.  Saturday.  At  Marblehead  ;  hear  cannon  from 
Boston. 

24.  Monday.  Rain.  I  went  to  Boston,  and  returned 
on  Thursday  ;  went  to  Cambridge  on  Tuesday  night,  and 
returned  to  Boston. 

30.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  The  stage  returned  from  Bos- 
ton, the  weather  being  very  bad  yesterday. 

December  4.  TJmrsday.  At  Cambridge  with  Mr. 
Cabot.  Excessively  cold.  The  Superior  Court  there. 
Mess.  Paine  and  Parsons,  —  rumpus,  —  and  Mess.  Paine 
and  Lowell.     We  returned  on  Saturday. 

9.    Tuesday.     John  Bonnet  went  away. 

11.  Thursday.  News  that  Gen'l  Howe  had  taken  Red 
bank  Fort,  which  was  evacuated  by  the  American  troops, 
and  some  of  his  ships  had  gone  up  to  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

13.  Saturday.  Rain  ;  moderate  air.  Mr.  Wetmore 
from  Boston.  Cato  came  and  lodged  here.  Mrs.  Orne 
came,  also  cousin  Jno.  Williams. 

16.  Tuesday.     Snow.     J.  Williams  left  us. 

17.  Wednesday.  G.  Dodge  from  southward  says  Gen'l 
Washington's  army  remains  near  Gen'l  Howe's,  and 
frequent  skirmishing  between  parties  of  each.  John 
came  home  from  Chelsea.  Mr.  Lewis  took  leave  of  his 
friends  here. 

18.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving  for  late  successes  or- 
dered by  Congress.     At  Mr.  Dunbar's  meeting. 


46  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

19.  Fry  day.  Bro.  Stephen  here,  and  went  to  Marble- 
head  on  Saturday. 

20.  Saturday.  B.  and  J.  at  Mrs.  Orne's  farm.  News 
that  Howe  went  out  of  Philadelphia,  and  a  fleet  went 
out  for  New  York  and  Rhode  Island. 

25.  Thursday.  Marit.  Court  here  from  Tuesday  last 
to  Thursday. 

27.  Saturday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  return  to 
Salem  from  London  and  Bilboa,  and  bring  letters  of 
the  17th  of  September  from  Mr.  Curwen  at  Bristol. 

30.  Tuesday.  The  court  meets  at  the  school-house  ; 
the  weather  very  cold.  New  plan  of  a  Constitution  ap- 
pears for  this  State. 

1778.  January  1.  Thursday.  Very  cold.  The  court 
sit. 

2.  Fry  day.  Some  rain,  and  the  warm  weather  carries 
off  the  snow.  Threats  to  set  fire  to  the  houses  of  those 
who  were  witnesses  and  prosecutors  of  the  women's 
mob  which  seized  the  there  ;  some  coals  were  placed 

at  the  front  doors  of  several  of  the  houses  there. 

4.  Sunday.  Cold.  At  Mr.  Barnard's.  The  church 
at  Marblehead  shut  up,1  and  the  G.  Jury  present  the 
members  for  not  going  to  meeting  on  Sundays.  Mr. 
Carpenter  and  wife  here. 

11.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  moderate.  Capt.  Leach  here. 
He  says  that  Lewis,  Mr.  Baron,  and  others  are  gone  to 
Halifax.     Snow  in  the  afternoon. 

12.  Monday.  Snow.  News  that  Colo.  Hendley 
stabbed  a  regular  soldier  for  hissing  as  he  passed  by 
him. 

13.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  some  sledding.  News  that 
some  light  horsemen  were  killed  in  cold  blood  by  Britons 
and  by  Americans. 

1  St.  Michael's  Church  was  closed  at  this  time,  many  of  its  members 
being  loyalists. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  47 

14.  Wednesday.  Warm,  and  much  wood  brought  in 
from  the  country  ;  the  sledding  good. 

15.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold  ;  good  sledding.  Mr. 
Parsons  from  Boston.  News  of  a  transport  with  army 
clothing,  etc.,  taken  at  the  southward,  worth  £ 

16.  Fry  day.  Very  cold  ;  good  sledding,  and  wood  at 
14  dollars  a  cord. 

17.  Saturday.  Mr.  Wetmore  returned  from  Boston. 
I  settled  B.'s  affairs  with  Mr.  Cabot  on  behalf  of  his  son, 
now  in  London.  B.  begins  to  droop  ;  Dr.  P.  concerned 
about  him. 

18.  Sunday.  Rain  all  last  night,  which  carried  off 
much  snow  ;  moderate  and  cloudy  weather  this  morning ; 
windy  and  cold  in  the  evening. 

19.  Monday.  Moderate  ;  rough  carting  ;  very  little 
wood  brought  in. 

20.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate.  Wood  now  at 
20  dollars  a  cord  ;  last  week  from  12  to  16. 

21.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  moderate.  Sent  examination 
of  Ome  v.  Hooper  by  Diman  to  Mr.  Winthrop  x  to  be 
recorded. 

22.  Thursday.  Mr.  Williams  here.  A  very  cold 
night.  A.  Cabot  went  to  view  the  house  and  consider 
and  report.  Set  out  for  Congress.  Williams  went  only 
to  Medford,  and  returned  at  night. 

25.  Sunday.  Snow.  Mr.  Williams  returned  to  Bos- 
ton. 

26.  Monday.  Cold  ;  some  snow  ;  a  very  cold  night. 
Saw  Durkee's  letter  to  Gen'l  Washington  ;  Andover 
rejects  the  confederation  scheme,  instructing  their  rep- 
resentatives to  vote  for  a  reconciliation  with  G[reat] 
B.[ritain].2 

1  Adam  Winthrop  was  the  brother  of  Professor  John  Winthrop,  and  son 
of  Adam,  great-grandson  of  Governor  John  Winthrop.  He  was  clerk  of 
the  court  in  Suffolk. 

2  This  statement,  which  we  may  suppose  was  contained  in  the  letter  of 


48  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

27.  Tuesday.  Very  cold  and  clear.  Katy  Wetmore 
came  with  B.  and  maid. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  with  So.  wind.  Wms.  came 
with  flour. 

29.  Thursday.  Rain  in  the  morning  ;  clearing  in  the 
afternoon  ;  muddy.  Mr.  A.  Cabot  decides  to  take  the 
house  ;  offers  no  price. 

31.  Saturday.  Many,  as  in  the  year  past,  are  grown 
and  are  growing  less  by  elevation,  like  little  statues 
placed  on  high  pedestals,  and  yet  these  little  lofty  ani- 
mals may  do  us  a  world  of  mischief.  But  if  we  are  on 
our  guard,  and  avoid  them,  and  bear  the  effects  of  their 
insolence  with  stability  and  dignity,  their  insults  will 
prove  harmless  to  us,  their  stings  hurt  none  but  them- 
selves. Their  malevolence  can  neither  add  to  nor 
diminish  our  real  enjoyment,  but  like  the  good  or  ill 
accidents  of  life  will  be  felt,  not  according  to  their,  but 
to  our  own  qualities. 

February  2.  Monday.  Gave  deed  to  Cabot  for  my 
house,  etc. 

3.  Tuesday.  Shelton  and  Johnson  went  to  Just. 
Ward's. 

4.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Mr.  Jones  and 
ux.  and  Mr.  Dunbar  here. 

5.  Thursday.  Mr.  Jones  and  Wms.  here.  Shelton 
and  Johnson's  affair  at  Just.  Ward's.  Cloudy,  but  mod- 
erate. 

Major  Durkee,  is  erroneous,  and  was  based  upon  the  vote  passed  by  the 
town  January  15th,  to  instruct  its  representatives  respecting  the  confeder- 
ation, and  the  probable  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  draft  an 
instruction  for  its  consideration.  The  well-known  views  of  this  com- 
mittee, and  the  consequent  character  of  their  report,  which  was  not  pre- 
sented until  February  9th,  naturally  led  to  the  inference  that  the  town 
would  coincide  with  its  recommendations.  The  report  was,  however,  re- 
jected, and  the  town  voted  that  their  representatives  use  their  influence 
that  the  plan  of  confederation  be  ratified. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  49 

6.  Ftyday.    New  oath  of  allegiance  in  the  newspapers. 

7.  Saturday.  Mr.  Dunbar,  Jones,  Wms.,  and  self 
dine  at  Mr.  Orne's  farm  ;  in  the  evening  they  at  my 
house. 

8.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Floyd  went  to  Chelsea, 
and  Jones  to  Roxbury. 

10.  Ttiesday.  Fair  and  moderate.  B.  starts  with  Mr. 
Williams  and  ux.  for  Deerfield.  Floyd  returns  from 
Chelsea.    At  Colo.  Sargent's 1  in  the  evening. 

n.  Wednesday.  Snow  and  rain.  Mr.  Smith  of  Bos- 
ton here,  and  gives  an  account  of  the  prosecution  and 
imprisonment  of  persons  averse  to  the  independence 
of  the  colonies  on  Great  Britain,  especially  as  to  Dr. 
Lloyd. 

12.  Thursday.  Snow  and  rain.  Wood,  19  dollars  for 
a  6  to  7  feet  load. 

13.  Fry  day.  Cloudy,  and  freezes.  Sent  letters  by 
Lieut.  Hooper  to  Marblehead,  to  be  forwarded  to  Colo. 
Gerry  or  put  on  board  Capt.  Hodges',  for  Capt.  Emery, 
Bilboa,  and  for  W.  Cabot.2 

14.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Wood  sold  at  30 
dollars  the  cord;  pork  1/8  and  1/6.  Jno.  came  home 
from  Chelsea  on  foot.  Dr.  Whitaker  from  Boston,  and 
[says]  that  the  negroes  would  soon  be  made  free  by  the 
Gen'l  Court. 

17.  Tuesday.     Superior  Court  in  Boston.     Clear. 

18.  Wednesday.  I  went  with  Verry  to  Boston,  and 
attended  at  the  Treasury  for  exchange  of  bills. 

19.  Thursday.  Attended  at  the  Treasury  for  the 
exchange  of  bills  for  State  notes  ;  came  home  in  the 
evening,  having  promises  of  the  notes  to  be  sent. 

1  Colonel  Epes  Sargent. 

2  William  Cabot  was  the  son  of  Francis,  son  of  the  first  John  Cabot. 
He  was  born  27th  April,  1752,  and  died  unmarried  in  1828. 

4 


50  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

20.  Fryday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate.  By  this  day  the 
oath  of  allegiance  was  by  law  to  have  been  taken  by 
lawyers. 

21.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  very  cold.  News  that  Dr. 
Holten  is  chosen  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress 
instead  of  John  Adams,  Esq.,  who  sailed  for  England 
last  Wednesday.1 

22.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  At  Mr.  Dunbar's 
meeting. 

23.  Monday.  Snow.  Sent  word  to  Mr.  Payson  by 
Bartlet  that  I  should  be  in  Boston  soon. 

24.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Fowler  and  Jno. 
here. 

25.  Wednesday.  Fair.  Sent  a  letter  to  Mr.  Emery, 
Bilboa,  by  a  Marblehead  vessel. 

26.  TJiursday.  Cloudy  and  foggy,  with  some  rain. 
Went  with  Jno.  to  Chelsea,  and  lodged  there.  Account 
of  parliamentary  debates  ;  Dr.  Franklin's  assassination,2 
and  new  levies  coming.  Note  debates  on  the  new  con- 
stitution. 

28.  Saturday.  Returned  from  Boston,  where  it  was 
proposed  in  the  Assembly  that  the  governor  should  hold 
his  place  certain  but  for  3  years  ;  that  civil  officers 
hold  during  good  behaviour  ;  small  districts,  corporations, 
etc.,  might  join  and  choose  representatives. 

March  2.     Monday.     Cold.     Club  in  the  evening. 

3.  Tuesday.  Cold  and  cloudy.  Letters  from  Mr. 
Payson. 

4.  Wednesday.       Cold    and    clear.      Warrant    issues 

1  John  Adams  was  appointed  Commissioner  to  France  on  the  14th  of 
February,  superseding  Silas  Deane. 

*2  This  entry  is  from  a  letter  from  Bordeaux,  dated  December  12,  1777, 
which  stated  that  Franklin  was  assassinated  in  his  bed-chamber  at  the 
instance  of  Lord  Stormont.  See  the  Continental  Journal  of  February  26, 
1778. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  51 

against  Mr.  Hooper 1  [that  he]  take  the  oath  of  fidelity 
and  allegiance  to  the  State  before  Justice  Ward. 

5.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Browne  goes  to 
Marblehead  with  warrants  against  persons  to  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance. 

9.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Town  meeting. 
Norwood  sues  Peirce  and  Vincent  in  replevin.  Peirce 
shuts  his  doors  and  opposes  the  officer  Browne  with  gun 
and  bayonet,  and  threatens  to  kill  him  if  he  should  enter 
the  house  ;  Peirce  had  lately  been  bound  to  his  good 
behaviour. 

10.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  ;  some  rain,  but  good  sledding. 
Wood  at  18  and  20  dollars  the  cord. 

n.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  and  thaws.  The  morning- 
lours,  and  heavily  brings  on  the  day  —  important  to  the 
gentry  of  Marblehead  who  are  to  appear  before  Justice 
Ward,  Esquire,  tanner  and  deacon,  to  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  etc.,  or  accept  of  a  room  in  jail,  to  which  he, 
for  some  time  past,  has  declared  they  shall  be  committed 
on  refusal  of  the  oaths.  The  charge  against  them  is 
that  they  are  inimical  to  the  grand  cause  of  America. 
The  proof  is  that  they  keep  bad  company  and  are  Tories. 
Parson  Weeks 2  is  charged  with  dining  on  board  of  a 
Flag  of  Truce  at  several  times.  The  Justice  refused  to 
give  them  a  copy  of  the  complaint  against  them,  saying 
it  was  private,  and  not  to  be  sent  about  the  world,  but 
he  shew  them  the  clerk's  list ;  but  trial  being  denied 
them,  they  refused  to  take  the  oath  without  further  con- 
sideration, and  time  was  allowed  them  until  Monday, 
23d  inst. 

1  Robert  Hooper,  known  as  King  Hooper,  was  the  wealthiest  merchant 
of  Marblehead,  and  one  of  the  wealthiest  in  New  England  before  the 
Revolution. 

3  Rev.  Joshua  Wingate  Weeks,  rector  of  St.  Michael's.  The  church 
was  closed  from  1776  until  17S0,  and  he  was  driven  to  Nova  Scotia. 


52  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

1 6.  Monday.  Cloudy  ;  snow  and  N.  E.  wind.  Oaths 
deferred  by  act  of  Assembly. 

17.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  with  some  rain.  News  that 
more  than  100  fat  oxen  and  a  quantity  of  clothing  were 
taken  on  the  way  to  Gen'l  Washington's  camp. 

18.  Wednesday.  Tradesmen  and  salary-men  grumble 
at  the  countrymen's  extortion,  and  threaten  to  join  the 
Regulars  against  them. 

20.  Fry  day.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Went  with  Dr. 
Holyoke's  horse  to  Peabody's,  Middleton,  and  saw  D. 
Balch. 

21.  Saturday.  By  Mr.  Oliver  returned  Lord  Boling- 
broke  to  the  library. 

22.  Sunday.  Fair,  and  very  windy  and  cold.  Sent 
John's  bundle  by  Diman. 

23.  Monday.  Fine,  clear  day,  and  the  high  wind  be- 
gins to  abate.  Two  of  the  Marblehead  gentry  take  the 
oath  of  abjuration,  Mr.  Abram  and  Mr.  Foster ;  the  others 
do  not  appear.  Caesar's  Commentaries,  Warburton,  and 
Tacitus  out  of  the  library. 

24.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Grumbling  at 
the  extortion  of  the  farmers,  the  blunders  of  politicians 
and  legislators,  the  ambition  and  selfishness  of  the 
ministry  and  of  the  demagogues,  badness  of  the  times, 
etc.,  etc. 

25.  At  Wenham,  Colo.  Browne's. 

26.  Thursday.  Snow.  News  of  32,000  troops  to  come 
to  America  this  Spring. 

27.  Fryday.  I  wrote  to  Dr.  Smith  to  thank  him  and 
Mr.  Upham  as  to  the  bills. 

28.  Saturday.  I  dined  at  Mr.  Orne's.  Heard  by  Mr. 
Dunbar  from  B.  that  he  was  well  at  Deerfield,  and  would 
return  in  a  fortnight. 

31.  Tuesday.  N.  E.  snow  storm  ;  excessively  heavy 
riding  to  Ipswich  Court. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  53 

April  I.  Wednesday.  Fair.  It  is  said  that  8000 
troops  are  to  be  raised  in  this  State,  and  that  Gen'l 
Howe's  troops  are  preparing  for  some  expedition. 

4.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  Smith  and  Cato  about  open- 
ing the  drain,  but  the  water  prevented  them.  Snow- 
storm in  the  evening.  The  privateer  crews  all  hurrying 
away  to  get  their  vessels  from  the  wharves,  thro'  fear  of 
the  embargo.  In  the  newspapers,  the  new  constitution 
ridiculed  in  a  number  of  articles,  and  parson  Gordon 
attacks  and  objects  to  it. 

5.  Sunday.  Mr.  Brimmer  and  Miss  Watson;1  by 
him  I  wrote  to  W.  Cabot  by  a  vessel  via  Holland,  enclos- 
ing one  of  the  bills  of  exchange  from  Mr.  Cabot  of  ^25 
sterling,  and  a  letter  to  S.  Curwen,  Esq.,  of  Dec.  31st. 

6.  Monday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Mrs.  Wetmore  rode 
out. 

7.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  and  clear  day.  Mrs.  W. 
rode  out  again ;  grows  better.  Mr.  W.  went  to  Bos- 
ton. 

16.    Thursday.     Floyd  at  work  in  the  garden. 

1 8.  Saturday.  Fair  and  clear,  but  windy.  Mrs.  Orne 
came.     Jno.  and  little  B.  went  to  Danvers. 

19.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  News  of  France  and  Spain's 
declaration  in  favour  of  American  independence  and  of 
a  free  trade  with  us.     Dean  returns. 

20.  Monday.  News  that  France  had  entered  into  a 
treaty  of  alliance  with  the  American  States,  and  that 
almost  all  of  the  other  powers  of  Europe  would  soon  [do 
the  same]. 

25.  Saturday.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  went  home. 

26.  Sunday.  News  that  some  of  the  English  com- 
missioners had  arrived  at  New  York. 

1  Miss  Watson  was  a  daughter  of  Major  George  Watson,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Judge  Peter  Oliver.     She  afterward  married  Martin  Brimmer. 


54  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

27.  Mr.  Oliver  set  out  for  Connecticut. 

May  2.  Saturday.  Received  a  letter  from  J.  Emery, 
Bilboa,  and  Mr.  Cabot  received  letters  from  England, 
his  son,  etc. 

3.  Sunday.  News  that  the  English  and  French  am- 
bassadors had  withdrawn  from  their  respective  courts, 
and  that  the  French  minister  had  seized  on  divers  Eng- 
lish vessels  in  the  harbour  for  security  until  the  ships 
taken  by  the  English  from  the  French  should  be  re- 
stored.    Qu.  :  Will  a  French  war  commence  now  ? 

5.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  I  went  to  Boston. 
Nath'l  Browne  died. 

7.  TJiursday.  B.  came  home  this  afternoon.  Rode 
from  Worcester  this  day. 

17.   Sunday.     Mrs.  Orne's  child  baptized. 

24.  Sunday.     At  Mr.  Barnard's. 

25.  Monday.  Mrs.  Orne  and  two  children  go  into  the 
hospital  for  the  inoculation  of  the  children. 

June  9.  Tuesday.  Rumours  that  the  Indians  at  the 
westward  are  in  motion,  and  that  Philadelphia  was  evac- 
uated and  burnt.     John  went  with  me  to  Chelsea. 

12.  Fry  day.  Fine,  warm  day.  Mrs.  Lynde  and  Mrs. 
Oliver  here. 

24.  Wednesday.  Went  with  Mrs.  Orne  to  visit  Mr. 
Sewall  and  lady  at  Manchester,  and  returned  on  Thurs- 
day. 

25.  Thursday.  Mr.  Lafitte  and  Mr.  Kate  and  co. 
here. 

Mr.  Hancock  calls  on  his  debtors,  and  desires  payment 
in  paper  currency,  preferring  that  to  silver  money  —  the 
difference  in  the  exchange  being  at  3^,  and  from  that  to 
5  paper  dollars  for  one  of  silver.  Does  Mr.  H.,  in  fact, 
mean  to  give  his  debtors  the  difference  ;  or  to  induce 
his  own  creditors  to  take  of  him  their  dues  at  that  rate 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  55 

because  he  takes  his  dues  at  that  rate  ;  or  to  become 
popular,  and  obtain  votes  at  the  choice  of  governor  next 
May  ?     See  the  newspapers. 

July  5.     Sunday.     At  Mr.  Dunbar's.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Orne  here  in  the  evening. 

6.  Monday.     John  went  to  school  with  Eben.  Putnam 
to  the   Rev.   Mr.   Dunbar.     Military  muster  in  School 

Street 

8.   Wednesday.     B.  sets  out  for  Portsmouth  ;  very  hot 

weather.  , 

11  Saturday.  Hot.  News  that  Gen'l  Clinton  s  army 
is  surrounded,  the  communication  with  their  ships  cut 
off,  and,  in  an  engagement,  had  lost  1200  men,  killed 
and  taken.  This  intelligence  said  to  come  in  a  letter 
from  Gen'l  Washington. 

K    Wednesday.     Moderate.     Inferior  Court  sat. 
18    Saturday.     By  handbill  we  hear  of  the  arrival  of 
Mons'r  D'Estaing  and   French  fleet  in  the  Delaware, 
with  troops  to  cooperate  with  Americans  against  Britons, 

etc    etc 

'   19.  Sunday.     Rain  in  the  evening.     Mr.   Oliver  re- 
turned from  Commencement. 

25  Saturday.  C.  W.  rested  well  last  night,  and  this 
morning  seemed  greatly  relieved,  but  about  12  she  grew 
worse  and  delirious.     The  Lord  be  merciful  to  her. 

28.   Tuesday.     Caty  Wetmore  dies,  and  is  buried  on 

Thursday.  ,  , 

August  4.  Tuesday.  The  Salem  volunteers  march 
about"  7  o'clock,  a.  it,  to  Flynt's  tavern,  where  they 
mount  their  horses  and  carriages  for  R.  Island,  to  return 
in  3  weeks.  Query,  if  so  soon.  Marblehead  committee, 
Orne  et  al.  v.  Martin.  In  the  afternoon  a  fine  shower 
of  rain. 


56  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

6.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Mascarene  a  came  to  see  us  last 
evening  ;  goes  to  Boston  to-day. 

9.  Mr.  Oliver  has  a  letter  from  Mr.  Walter.  It  rains 
plentifully. 

10.  Monday.  It  rains  this  morning.  [The]  confirma- 
tion of  the  arrival  of  a  part  of  the  English  fleet  at  New- 
York.    This  day  bung  up  the  currant  wine,  having  added 

of  sugar. 
12  and  13.  Wednesday  and  Thursday.  Rains,  and 
blows  down  corn,  etc.,  [and]  drives  27  vessels  ashore  at 
Marblehead.  B.  went  to  Boston  on  Wednesday  morning. 
Query,  the  event  of  the  expedition  to  R.  Island,  the 
soldiers  being  without  tents,  etc. 

28.  Fry  day.  The  French  fleet  of  [14]  sail  of  ships  of 
war  go  into  Boston.2  News  from  Gen'l  Washington  by 
express  to  Gen'l  Sullivan  at  Rhode  Island  that  the  troops 
must  quit  the  Island,  as  troops  are  embarking  at  New 
York  for  Rhode  Island  to  raise  the  siege.  We  hear  that 
the  soldiers  are  coming  off  R.  Island,  and  it  is  said  that 
some  of  Admiral  Byron's  fleet  are  arrived  at  New  York. 
At  night  Mr.  Wetmore  moved  into  Mr.  Ropes'  house. 

29.  Saturday.  The  Salem  volunteers  return  home 
from  Rhode  Island  —  quibus  gravis  infamia  loesit. 

September  I.  Tuesday.  English  fleet  standing  off, 
this  morning,  from  Boston.  News  that  New  York  is 
evacuated. 

3.  Thursday.  None  of  the  fleet  to  be  seen  ;  horse 
race  at  Flynt's. 

5.  Saturday.  Mr.  Derby  sent  word  that  he  should 
this  Fall  move  into  this  house.    By  Mr.  Oliver  news  from 

1  Mrs.  Mascarene  was  the  wife  of  John  Mascarene,  the  comptroller  of 
the  port  of  Salem.  She  was  a  daughter  of  President  Holyoke,  and  a 
fourth  cousin  of  William  Pynchon. 

2  Eleven  ships  of  the  line  and  three  frigates. 


1 778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  57 

Boston  of  an  express  from  Gen'l  Washington  that  Ad- 
miral Byron's  fleet  had  arrived  at  New  York,  12  sail  of 
the  line  ;   19,  as  some  say. 

7.  Monday.  News  in  the  paper  that  Bedford  is  burned 
by  the  Regulars.     Is  this  the  way  for  reconciliation  ? 

9.  Wednesday.  Rain.  Mr.  Jones  in  town.  Rumour 
of  a  mob  at  Boston,  and  a  riot  between  the  sailors  and 
Frenchmen,  and  of  burning  the  whole  of  Dartmouth 
and  Bedford. 

10.  Thursday.  [The]  account  of  the  burning  of  a 
part  of  Bedford  in  the  paper,  and  the  former  account  in 
great  part  contradicted. 

11.  Fry  day.  B.  went  to  Boston.  A  fair  and  moder- 
ate day.  Mr.  Jones,  Mrs.  Dunbar,  myself,  and  wife 
[went]  to  see  Mrs.  Orne  at  Danvers. 

13.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  News  that  the  Span- 
ish fleet  on  the  coast  has  been  spoken  with,  and  that 
Congress  has  notified  R.  Island  State  to  provide  for 
them,  viz.,  for  about  20,000  men. 

18.  Fry  day.  Cloudy  ;  wind  So.  B.  went  to  Marble- 
head,  and  carried  Mrs.  F.  Bourn  to  Mrs.  Orne's,  Danvers. 

28.  Monday.  The  drummers  and  trumpeters  of  fac- 
tion have  for  a  long  time  drowned  the  voice  of  truth 
and  reason,  but  begin  to  be  more  moderate.  Their  pay 
is  in  paper  and  promises,  and  if  the  credit  of  these  con- 
tinue declining  it  is  likely  that  a  cart-load  of  them  may, 
12  months  hence,  purchase  a  bushel  of  turnips,  if  not 
more. 

October  2.  Fryday.  The  prizes  came  in  ;  also  the 
Black  Prince.     Gilbert's  death  reported  in  Salem. 

4.  Sunday.     Mr.  Perry  preached  at  Mr.  Dunbar's. 

8.   Thursday.     Dr.  Orne's  wife  was  buried.1 

13.  Tuesday  eve.  Miss  T.  Bourn  and  Miss  Gallison 
here. 

1  Mrs.  Orne  was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Dudley  Leavitt. 


58  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

14.  Wednesday.  Began  to  move  my  house  furniture 
and  goods  to  Mr.  Orne's  store,  while  Mr.  White  was 
moving  his  out  of  the  house.1 

15.  Thursday.  Put  up  the  beds,  and  so  forth,  and 
moved  most  of  the  furniture. 

16.  Fry  day.  We  lodged  at  Mr.  Orne's  house,  all  but 
the  maids.2 

17.  Saturday.  The  maids  came  there  also,  but  B. 
lodged  at  Mr.  Derby's  house,  to  take  care  of  it. 

20.  Tuesday.  I  went  with  Mr.  Wetmore  to  Newbury- 
port  Court  adjournment,  and  we  returned  on  Friday, 
p.  m.  Cook's  horse  was  tired,  and  we  hired  Kimball's 
at  the  Hamblet. 

24.  Saturday.  Cato  took  the  old  chest  of  drawers 
away. 

31.  Saturday.     Mr.  Luscom  came  to  mend  the  floor. 

November  1.  Sunday.  Dined  at  Mr.  Pickman's.  The 
weather  cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E.  and  cold. 

5.  Thursday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nevvhall  came  to  town. 
News  that  the  Somerset  was  cast  away  on  Cape  Cod. 

6.  Fry  day.  They  called  on  us.  Mr.  Mansfield  left 
Judge  L.'s  house. 

7.  Saturday.  It  rained.  At  evening  Judge  Sewall 
called  to  see  us,  and  spent  the  evening. 

8.  Sunday.  He  came  and  spent  the  day  till  evening. 
I  went  to  Mr.  Higginson's. 

1  The  house  in  Summer  Street  from  which  Mr.  Pynchon  now  removed, 
and  lately  occupied  by  Dr.  Emmerton,  was  built  by  him  somewhere  about 
1760,  and  sold  in  1778  to  Mr.  John  Derby,  who,  it  appears  by  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Pynchon,  dated  August  3,  1784,  added  to  it  a  story,  with  a  fiat  roof 
and  balustrade. 

2  Timothy  Orne,  who  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  William 
Pynchon,  was  the  son  of  Timothy,  who  was  the  son  of  Timothy  Orne  and 
Lois  Pickering.  He  was  born  April  30,  1750.  His  house  was  in  Essex 
Street,  between  North  and  Court  streets,  and  was  occupied  by  Mr. 
Pynchon  from  this  time  until  1784. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  59 

9.  Monday.     Rain.     Judge  Sewall  set  out  for  York. 

12.  Thursday.  Fair  and  windy.  An  exalted  charac- 
ter given  in  Monday's  paper  is  worth  notice.  The  co- 
temporaries  of  the  party  used  to  say  that  in  his  business 
he  was  most  rapacious  and  oppressive  ;  that  in  the 
Assembly  he  was  rarely  trusted,  was  venal,  commonly 
taking  presents,  fees,  etc.,  for  managing  business  there  ; 
that  the  severe  Act  against  bribery  and  corruption  was 
principally  aimed  at  him  and  his  junto,  was  proposed 
by  his  brother  members  and  brothers  in  profession.  If 
this  be  credited,  and  we  turn  to  the  account  of  Dr. 
Eliot's  death  1  in  [the]  papers,  it  is  something  remark- 
able that  the  latter,  almost  universally  agreed  to  be  as 
proper  a  pattern  for  imitation  as  any  in  the  State,  should 
pass  unnoticed  by  certain  brethren  of  his  persuasion  in 
religious  matters,  while  the  former  is  set  up  on  high  as 
excelling  in  piety,  goodness,  justice,  etc.,  etc.  ;  while 
none  dares  in  public,  at  least  in  the  papers,  bewail  the 
great  loss  by  the  death  of  that  excellent  preacher,  that 
polite,  affable,  and  most  agreeable  gentleman,  that  truly 
good  man,  Dr.  Eliot.  But  all  wonder  vanisheth  on 
considering  that  the  modern  question  as  to  character  is 
not  whether  the  party  be  a  person  of  honor,  integrity, 
learning,  piety,  etc.,  but  whether  he  be  Whig  or  Tory. 
Alas  !  party  spirit  changeth  the  manners  of  men,  altereth 
the  very  genius  of  a  people  ;  as  if  it  would  have  the 

1  Dr.  Andrew  Eliot,  minister  of  the  New  North  Church,  was  a  graduate 
of  Harvard  College  in  1737.  He  was  a  man  of  irreproachable  character, 
and  during  the  trying  times  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle  was  without  the 
bitterness  so  often  engendered  by  political  strife,  doing  what  he  could  to 
alleviate  the  sufferings  of  those  about  him,  without  regard  to  party  or 
creed.  At  the  sacking  of  Governor  Hutchinson's  house  by  a  vindictive 
mob,  Dr.  Eliot  saved  many  valuable  manuscripts  from  destruction,  in- 
cluding the  second  volume  of  the  History  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  The 
presidency  of  Harvard  College,  now  so  ably  held  by  one  of  his  family,  was 
once  offered  to  him,  but  declined. 


60  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

civilized  turned  into  barbarians,  and  charity  and  benevo- 
lence kicked  out  of  the  State. 

21.  Mr.  Oliver  and  wife  remove  from  mine  to  his 
house,  and  lodge  there. 

25.  Wednesday.     Mitchell  Sevvall  here. 

26.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving  ;  cold  and  fair.  Mr. 
Wetmore  here. 

December  4.  Friday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  come  ; 
drink  tea  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  and  lodge  at  my  house. 

5.  Saturday.     Go  to  see  Mr.  Bowdoin. 

6.  Sunday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  here  ;  at  Mr.  Orne's 
in  the  evening. 

7.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason a 
return  to  Cambridge. 

10.  Thursday.  High  winds  and  rain.  The  Enterprise 
said  to  be  taken  and  gone  to  Halifax.     Snow. 

16.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Orne  here;  returned  at  night. 
Carried  to  Mr.  Gilchrist  Miss  Gerrish's  96  shillings. 
Snow  much  drifted. 

20.    Sunday.     Very  cold.     Mr.  Dunbar  ill. 

24.  Thursday.  Excessive  cold.  Wood  at  £10  a  cord. 
Cold,  cold,  cold  ! 

25.  Fry  day.  Christmas.  Cold  continues.  N.  E. 
storm  at  night. 

26.  Saturday.  Severe  snow-storm ;  excessive  cold 
and  windy  and  snow  greatly  drifted.  Yesterday  Messrs. 
Jones  and  J.  Williams  come  ;  they  tarry  till  Monday,  a.  m. 
D.  Smith  from  New  York  gives  an  account  that  it  is 

1  Thaddeus,  son  of  John  Mason,  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College  in 
1728.  He  was  a  Register  of  Deeds  in  Middlesex  from  1781  to  17S4.  His 
second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Sewall,  of  Boston.  One 
of  his  daughters  married  William  Harris,  from  whom  descended  the  late 
Thaddeus  Mason  Harris.  He  died  May  I,  1802,  aged  95.  He  was  the 
oldest  living  graduate  for  8  years. 


1778.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  6 1 

not  likely  the  British  troops  will  evacuate  it  soon  ;  they 
being  about  10,000  men,  and  securely  fortified. 

Politicians  and  man-slayers,  is  it  your  pride  or  igno- 
rance that  prevents  your  discerning  when  to  have  done  ? 
Is  it  with  strife  as  in  feasts,  that,  however  full  or  weary, 
men  are  unwilling  to  depart  ? 

27.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  windy,  and  very  cold.  Want 
of  breeches  and  shoes  is  surely  a  tolerable  excuse  for 
absence  from  meeting  ;  Dr.  W.  allows  it  in  case  the 
preacher  be  not  orthodox. 

29.  Tuesday.  Still  clear  and  cold  ;  the  snow  is  so 
drifted  that  none  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  met. 
Three  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  meet,  and  adjourn  to 
March. 

30.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  more  moderate  weather. 
It  is  continental  Thanksgiving,  but  for  want  of  provi- 
sions and  the  necessities  of  life  [it]  seems  more  like  a 
Fast  here.  We  have,  however,  many  reasons  for  grati- 
tude and  cause  of  thankfulness  ;  for,  though  our  peace 
and  much  of  our  property  are  gone,  we  yet  move  and 
have  being,  and  enjoy  this  comfort  :  that  the  miscreants 
whose  ambition  and  avarice  have  brought  on  us  distress 
and  want,  bloodshed,  and  much  destruction  on  the  coun- 
try, will  not  have  the  whole  honor  of  the  invention, 
theirs  being  coeval  nearly  with  the  creation. 

31.  Thursday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Mr.  Wetmore's 
brother  here.  The  newspapers  show  us  the  increasing 
jealousies  between  the  Lees  and  others  and  the  parties 
in  Congress  ;  also  between  Mr.  Dean,  the  ambassador, 
and  them  and  others.  May  their  disputes  procure  peace 
and  reconciliation,  if  nothing  else  will.  Does  not  dis- 
appointed ambition  often,  too  often,  assume  the  guise 
and  the  looks  of  publick  spirit  and  of  great  patriotism  ? 
Let  us  bear  this  in  mind  when  reading  or  hearing  the 


62  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

disputes,  pretences,  and  promises  of  ambassadors,  com- 
missioners, and  agents. 

May  3,  1780.  Wednesday.  Wind  So.  and  warm  ;  p.  m. 
comes  about  to  N.  W.  ;  the  sun  breaks  forth.  At  dinner 
B.  looks  sober,  eats  but  little,  seems  to  have  no  appetite  ; 
is  called  by  the  passengers  to  go  on  board  the  brigg,  the 
wind  and  weather  being  fair,  and  all  ready  for  sailing. 
Mrs.  P.  sheds  tears,  Patty  makes  a  long  face  ;  grief  is 
contagious  ;  John  catches  it  and  is  in  tears  ;  Mrs.  Goodale 
comes  over,  and,  finding  none  to  speak  to  her,  goes  home 
again.  B.  goes  on  board  with  the  company,  attended  to 
the  boat  by  John,  with  his  roll  of  tobacco  for  an  adven- 
ture. They  come  to  sail  toward  night ;  have  a  moderate 
sea  and  fine  breeze.  The  Pickering,  that  was  to  have 
sailed  with  the  Fame,  ran  aground,  and  did  not  go  out 
till  Thursday  morning. 

4.  Thursday.  A  fine,  brisk  gale  last  night  and  this 
morning  for  the  brigg.  God  be  merciful  to  all  on  board, 
and  give  them  health  and  a  prosperous  voyage. 

5.  Friday.  Fine  N.  W.  breeze  and  clear  day.  Cato 
came  to  gardening. 

6.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  I  went  with  Mrs. 
Pynchon  in  Mr.  Cabot's  chaise  to  Mr.  Orne's  to  see  Mrs. 
Orne,  and  missed  her  on  the  road. 

8.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  Sparhawk  a  brings 
home  his  new  wife.  News  that  South  Carolina  is  closely 
invested  by  sea  and  land. 

9.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  clear.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne 
and  their  two  children  come. 

10.  Wednesday.  Fair.  Mr.  Orne  goes  to  Andover ; 
Salem  town  meeting  ;  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  ladies  go  to 
Mrs.  Prince's.     Rains  in  the  night. 

1  Nathaniel  Sparhawk,  grandson  of  Sir  William  Pepperill. 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHOX.  63 

12.  Friday.  Cold  ;  N.  W.  wind.  Rumours  that 
Charleston  is  taken. 

13.  Saturday.  Clear  and  moderate.  More  rumours 
as  to  the  taking  of  Charleston. 

14.  Sunday.  A  fine,  warm  clay  ;  wind  S.  W.  The 
conversation  of  all  parties  now  implies  more  than  they 
dare  to  express,  viz.,  that  Charleston  is  lost. 

18.  Thursday.     Town  meeting  upon  the  constitution. 

19.  Friday.  Rain  ;  S.  W.  wind.  A  dark  morning  ; 
about  ten  the  darkness  increased,  and  at  eleven  and 
twelve  o'clock  it  was  so  great  that  people  used  candles 
to  get  dinner  by  and  to  read  ;  the  cocks  began  to  crow, 
as  in  the  night ;  people  in  the  streets  grew  melancholy, 
and  fear  seized  on  all  except  sailors  ;  they  went  halloo- 
ing and  frolicking  through  the  streets,  and  were  reproved 
in  vain  ;  they  cried  out  to  the  ladies  as  they  passed, 
"  Now  you  may  take  off  your  rolls  and  high  caps  and 
be  d d."  Dr.  Whitaker's  people  met  at  the  meeting- 
house, and  he  preached  from  Amos  vi.  8-9  :  "  I  will 
darken  the  earth  in  the  clear  day,"  etc.  He  urged  that 
it  was  owing  to  the  immediate  act  of  God  for  people's 
extortion  and  other  sins,  and  enumerated  them.  At 
four  p.  m.,  it  grew  somewhat  lighter;  in  the  evening, 
although  the  moon  was  up  and  full,  it  was,  until  12 
o'clock,  darker  than  ever  was  seen  by  any. 

20.  Saturday.  It  was  tolerably  clear,  and  the  clouds 
were  dispersed  in  a  great  measure. 

21.  Sunday.  Moderate  weather,  somewhat  hazy  and 
cloudy.  Mr.  Prince  preached,  but  said  not  a  word  of  the 
dark  of  last  Friday  ;  many  think  it  very  odd  in  him  to 
omit  it,  when  Dr.  Whitaker  thought  it  clearly  pointed 
at  the  prevalent  sins  of  this  day,  extortion  in  particular. 
Mr.  Prince,  after  service,  warned  the  town  meeting  from 
the  pulpit,  and  all  were  desired  to  appear  and  attend  on 


64  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

affairs  of  the  last  importance,  viz.,  of  the  new  consti- 
tution. 

22.  Monday.  The  town  meeting  was  full,  and  the 
whole  day  was  spent  upon  the  constitution  ;  many  ob- 
jections and  several  amendments  were  made,  but  no 
reasons  were  prepared  for  the  convention,  as  they  de- 
sired, because  the  convention  had  no  right  to  require 
reasons  other  than  the  delegates  might  verbally  give 
them. 

23.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E.  Rumours  by 
Capt.  Stickney  from  New  York  that  Carolina  was  safe 
on  the  6th  instant,  as  was  said  at  New  York  ;  also  that 
G.  Clinton  was  killed  by  a  random  shot,  but  that  it  was 
hushed  up  there  ;  but  the  New  York  paper  intimates 
that  there  are  rumours  of  Carolina  being  taken. 

24.  Wednesday.     Clear,  moderate  day.     Handbill  from 
,  and  rumours  from  So.   Carolina,  shew  the  great 

probability  that  the  siege  there  will  soon  be  raised,  there 
having  been  two  skirmishes,  in  which  Clinton's  troops 
were  worsted  and  lost  800  men.  The  messenger  is  a 
deserter  ;  ideo  qucere. 

25.  Thursday.  The  paper  confirms  the  rumours,  and 
they  still  are  credited  in  part. 

26.  Fnday.  Clouds  and  some  rain  ;  very  warm  at 
noon.  People  grow  impatient  and  somewhat  suspicious 
as  to  the  affair  of  Carolina. 

27.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  morning  ;  wind  S.  W. 
Folger  from  Nantucket  says  deserters  from  New  York 
say,  some,  that  Clinton  on  second  attack  lost  900  men, 
and  had  many  wounded  ;  others,  that  Charleston  hath 
since  surrendered,  or  is  taken. 

28.  Sunday.  Warm  and  pleasant.  Mr.  Barnard 
preached  p.  m.  at  Mr.  Prince's. 

30.    Tuesday.     Clear  and  very  warm.     People  dress  in 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  65 

summer  apparel,  and  are  preparing  for  election  to-mor- 
row. This  day  the  new  society  meet  at  Cambridge  upon 
a  summons  from  President  Bowdoin.1  This  is  a  day 
of  rumours,  viz.,  that  Gen'l  Washington  writes  to  G. 
Trumbull  that  he  must  prepare  vegetables  for  the  French 
fleet,  daily  expected ; 2  that  Charleston  was  safe  the  4th 
instant ;  that  the  Regulars  are  about  to  leave  Penobscot. 

June  4.  Sunday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  W.  and  cool ; 
towards  night  the  wind  rises,  and  a  small,  fine  rain. 
Rumours  of  a  requisition  of  General  Washington  for 
some  recruits  to  join  the  French  when  they  come  against 
New  York,  and  of  an  embargo. 

5.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  The  Council  and  Court, 
it  is  said,  sat  all  Sunday  upon  the  affair  of  an  embargo  and 
of  raising  men.     Charleston  is  said  to  have  surrendered. 

8.  Thursday.  More  rumours  of  the  surrender  of 
Charleston.  Insurance  at  75  per  cent,  in  the  office  is 
offered,  and  actually  accepted  for  insuring  it  to  Septem- 
ber next ;  but  see  the  papers  of  this  day  giving  a  partic- 
ular account  of  the  surrender  and  the  terms,  etc.,  upon 
the  1 2th  of  May  ;  and  see  extracts  of  letters,  etc.,  by  the 
ship  Iris  into  New  York  ;  but  all  being  from  "  Riving- 
ton's  Gazette,"  called  the  "  Lying  Gazette,"  the  public  is 
ordered  in  Powers  and  Wyllys  to  give  no  credit. 

10.  Saturday.  Mr.  Hunt,  from  Boston,  and  Mr.  Pay- 
son  say  that  Rivington's  account  is  by  all  supposed  to 
be  untrue,  and  yet  that  Charleston  was  taken  at  or  about 
the  time  he  mentions.  Mr.  Bromfield,  in  days  from 
Philadelphia,  says  it  was  supposed  there  by  most  people 
to  be  taken. 

1  The  Society  here  referred  to  was  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  founded  during  this  year,  of  which  Mr.  Bowdoin  was  one  of  the 
founders  and  its  first  president. 

2  The  letter  referred  to,  dated  May  19th,  may  be  found  in  the  tenth 
volume  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Collections,  page  164. 

5 


66  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

14.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  More  ru- 
mours of  the  fate  of  Charleston  ;  more  insurances  made  ; 
the  premiums  are  fallen  to  50  per  cent.  It  is  said  that 
the  Council  believe  it  taken,  but  we  have  not  yet  raised 
our  men  for  the  army. 

15.  Thursday.  Fair  and  moderate.  The  prize  taken 
by  the  Pilgrim  was  sent  in  here,  and  two  gentlemen 
from  New  York  came  in  her,  and  bring  assurances  and 
many  confirming  circumstances  showing  South  Carolina 
to  have  been  surrendered  to  the  British  troops,  adding 
that  Gen'l  Cornwallis  had  reached  as  far  as  Georgetown 
in  his  way  to  North  Carolina,  and  that  many  from  both 
Carolinas  flocked  to  the  King's  standard;  they  aver  that 
Sullivan's  Island  and  Fort  Moultrie  surrendered  the  8th, 
and  the  city  on  the  12th  of  May,  and  that  Gen'l  Corn- 
wallis had  with  him  3500  regular  troops,  besides  many  of 
the  militia  ;  and  on  Friday  that  T.  Pickering  had  writ- 
ten to  G.  Williams  that  Carolina  was  taken.  And  now 
the  underwriters  begin  to  account  together  with  the 
assured  of  the  losses  and  gains  by  insuring  Carolina. 

17.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Mr.  Greenwood, 
from  Boston,  says  that  he  does  not  believe  Charleston  to 
be  taken  or  surrendered  to  the  Regulars,  nor  that  it  will 
be,  notwithstanding  all  the  accounts  and  rumours  about 
it.     I  go  to  Danvers,  and  tarry. 

18.  Sunday  eve.     I  return  from  Danvers. 

20.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Go  with  Mr.  Wet- 
more  to  Ipswich  Court,  and  there  hear  of  rumours  as  to 
Gen'l  Washington  and  his  little  army's  difficulties  and 
dangers  near  New  York  ;  that  unless  speedily  relieved 
and  reinforced  they  probably  must  retreat  into  the 
country,  or  be  dispersed  or  surrounded  as  soon  as  Gen'l 
Clinton's  forces  shall  return  from  South  Carolina. 

21,  22,  23.  Wednesday  to  Friday.     Fair  and  pleasant 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  67 

weather ;  and  on  Friday  evening  return  from  Ipswich 
Court. 

24.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain  in  the  afternoon 
Mr.  Higginson  and  wife  and  Mr.  Gray  and  wife  go  east- 
ward. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  goes  to  Boston  on  the  affairs  of  Span,  ship  ;  I  send 
my  excuse  by  him  to  Mr.  Tudor.  The  militia  muster ; 
all  the  gentlemen,  a  few  excepted,  follow  the  drum 
through  the  streets  ;  some  sneer,  and  some  leer,  as  they 
march,  but  covertly  ;  Bro.  G.  looks  straightforward.  A 
fine  and  plentiful  rain  at  night. 

29.  Thursday.  Clouds  and  sunshine,  alternately,  all 
day.  Mr.  Wetmore  from  Boston  ;  he  says  that  Wash- 
ington hath  called  for  the  Connecticut  militia  to  oppose 
Gen'l  Clinton's  proceeding  up  North  River  with  an  army 
of  11,000.  Large  demands  are  made  on  us  for  men  to 
fill  up  the  army,  which  costs  us  from  ^1000  to  ^1800 
for  each  man  to  serve  but  six  months  ;  heavy  taxes. 

30.  Friday.  A  little  more  rain  to-day,  reviving  the 
herbage  and  our  spirits,  but  Gen'l  Clinton  proceeding  up 
North  River  fills  us  all  with  concern  for  West  Point. 
We  are  told  that  Connecticut  and  New  York  militia  are 
crowding  that  way,  and  fill  the  roads,  so  that  it  is  very 
difficult  for  travellers  to  get  along. 

July  4.      Tuesday.     Mr.  Bell  here. 

5.  Wednesday.  It  rains  again.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and 
Mrs.  Oliver  visit  at  J[udge]  Lynde's. 

6.  Thursday.  Warm,  cloudy.  Rumours  that  the 
Regulars  are  driven  to  their  ships  in  North  River  and 
beat  in  the  Jersey,  and  a  great  number  slain. 

7.  Friday.  Cloudy  ;  fine  growing  weather  as  was 
ever  known  ;  nothing  hath  suffered  much  but  the  grass. 

8.  Saturday.     Mr.  Vans,  in  the  street  by  West's  cor- 


68  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

ner,  in  company  with  J.  Ropes,  Mr.  Dowse,  F.  Cabot, 
and  myself,  and  speaking  of  the  exertions  and  bad  con- 
duct, nonsense  and  folly,  of  Great  Britain,  says,  "  Mark 
my  words,  she  is  just  like  a  candle  blinking  and  blazing 
up  just  before  it  expires  ;  her  candle  by  next  January 
will  be  burnt  down  to  the  socket,  and  her  blaze  by  that 
time  will  expire  and  go  out  quite,  d'  ye  mind  me  ?  Take 
my  word  for  it,  by  next  January  this  will  be  the  case 
with  G.  Britain  as  to  her  concerns  in  America."    Nota. 

10.  Monday.  Warm.  Mrs.  Derby  here.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Vans,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver. 

11.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  warm,  and  some  rain.  The 
Court  sits  here. 

12.  Wednesday.  Warm  day.  News  of  the  arrival  of 
the  French  fleet  at  Rhode  Island. 

13.  Thursday.  Cool,  fair  day.  In  afternoon  Mr. 
Barnard  sets  out  with  B.  Pickman1  and  Mr.  Steward 
with  Master  John  Pynchon  for  Cambridge  College,  in 
order  to  examination.  John  eats  little  or  no  dinner 
through  anxiety;  declares  that  if  he  is  rejected  upon 
examination  he  never  will  go  again  to  college,  and  never 
will  be  seen  in  the  town  of  Cambridge  again. 

14.  Friday.  At  night  Master  Steward  and  his  pupil 
return  from  Cambridge  ;  joy  not  to  be  described  was 
visible  in  John's  countenance,  accompanied  with  his  ut- 
most endeavors  to  suppress  its  appearance,  and  to  induce 
his  mother  to  suppose  he  had  been  rejected  ;  his  nerves 
continued  to  be  agitated  by  it  two  full  days.  He  was 
admitted,  and,  it  is  said,  behaved  very  agreeably  at  ex- 
amination. 

15.  Saturday.      John    is    unwell  ;    his   tender   frame 

1  Benjamin  Pickman,  who  was  in  the  class  after  that  of  John  Pynchon, 
was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Pickman,  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Bezaliel  Tappan. 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  69 

almost  sinks  under  the  effects  of  yesterday's  agitation. 
Carpenter  and  Dr.  Smith  arrive  from  England. 

16.  Sunday,  Fair  a^nd  warm.  Mr.  Prince  preaches. 
Mr.  Wetmore  and  myself  are  sent  for  to  Boston  to  assist 
at  the  hearing  of  counsel  upon  the  question  of  the  Ad- 
miralty jurisdiction  in  the  Spanish  Cause  ;  we  return 
on  Tuesday  afternoon,  the  judge  not  sustaining  the 
libel ;  his  jurisdiction  being  most  ignobly  limited  by  the 
State  Law,  which  requires  him  to  hear  and  determine 
in  several  cases  (as  he  says),  and  yet  gives  him  no  mar- 
shal or  other  officer  to  execute  any  order  or  decree  he 
should  make  ! 

17.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning;  fair  and  very  warm. 
The  Judge  of  Maritime  Court  hears  counsel  as  to  his 
jurisdiction  ;  the  hearing  takes  the  whole  day.  At  eve 
he  declines  proceeding  on  the  libel  for  the  reasons 
above,  and  declares  he  will  not  proceed  on  libels  for 
wages,  etc.,  tho'  expressly  mentioned,  for  like  reasons. 

18.  Tuesday.     Very  hot  all  day  ;  the  corn  suffers. 

19.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  clear  by  turns  ;  the  gar- 
dens fail. 

20.  Thursday.  Fast  day  ;  clear.  Letters  by  Carpen- 
ter from  England  ;  our  money  is  gone. 

22.  Saturday.  News  of  [the]  English  fleet  at  New 
York  equal  to  that  of  the  monsieurs  at  Rhode  Island. 
England  !  England  !  why  pursue  a  shadow  ?  America  ! 
America  !  thy  dreams  of  greatness  ill  meet  with  thy 
condition  ;  vera  virtus  quum  semel  excidct  curatne  reponi 
deterioribus  ?     Brother  Stephen  here. 

24.  Monday.  Patty  goes  to  Wenham.  I  go  to  Dan- 
vers  A.  m.  with  F.  G.  and  W.  W.,  Jr. 

25.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  a.  m.  ;  warm  and  very  dry  p.  m. 
Mr.  Johnson  here. 

26.  Wednesday.  Hot  and  dry.  Mr.  Mellen  in  town. 
No  lights  at  evening. 


70  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

27.  Thursday.  Excessive  heat  made  this  a  most  un- 
comfortable day.  Messrs.  Barnard,  Mellen,  and  Steward 
dine  with  me  ;  no  lights  in  the  evening. 

29.  Saturday.  Warm.  Rumours  of  an  embarka- 
tion of  British  troops  at  New  York,  destined  for  Rhode 
Island. 

31.  Monday.  Fair  and  cool.  According  to  Boston 
prophecies,  it  will  not  be  in  the  power  of  all  the  fleets 
and  troops  that  Great  Britain  can  send  to  save  Jamaica, 
nor  raise  the  siege  of  Gibraltar,  nor  secure  the  English 
fleet  at  Rhode  Island  ;  that  the  English  troops  at  New 
York  dare  not  venture  out ;  that  the  superiority  of  France 
and  Spain  in  America  is  so  great  as  to  silence  the  Eng- 
lish [in]  this  campaign,  which  would  be  a  very  active,  if 
not  a  bloody  one.  Mrs.  Orne  moves  down  to  Salem, 
[to]  Mrs.  Cabot's  house. 

August  1.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Mr.  Steward 
is  applied  to  as  a  reader  at  church,  and  has  no  objections 
which  at  present  occur. 

3.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  Brother  Mitchell  came,  and 
he  and  Mrs.  Pynchon,  Mr.  Goodale  and  wife,  go  to  Mar- 
blehead.  He  lodges  here,  having  spent  the  evening  at 
Mrs.  One's. 

4.  Friday.  [In]  morning  some  rain.  Brother  Mitchell 
gets  up  at  5  o'clock,  and  goes  to  Gloucester  to  see  Bro. 
Stephen,  and  does  not  return. 

5.  Saturday.  Excessively  hot  and  dry  on  the  surface 
of  the  earth,  [and]  things  parched  to  a  great  degree  ;  a 
violent  thunder  shower  at  the  eastward  and  in  the  Bay, 
and  rain  at  Topsfield  and  Newbury. 

6.  Sunday.  Pleasant.  We  hear  that  the  English 
troops  have  returned  to  New  York  from  Newport. 
Prizes  come  in  here  taken  out  of  the  Quebec  fleet  ;  the 
prisoners  say  that  the  English  are  building  ships,  and 
proceeding  with  great  spirit  for  the  war. 


1 73o.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  7* 

8.  Tuesday.  Warm,  and  excessively  dry,  that  the  like 
of  late  years  has  not  been  known. 

9.  Wednesday.  io.  Thursday.  II.  Friday.  Daily 
firing  in  the  harbor  by  privateers  and  prizes  coming  in, 
and  they  say  this  town  grows  poorer  and  poorer. 

12.   Saturday.     In  the  morning  a  fine  rain,  with  thun- 
der  and   lightning.     Among  other   takings  and  other 
doings  of  the  privateers  with  the  persons  and  properties 
of  the  prisoners,  we  are  told  by  credible  persons  (Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Cabot)  that  one  of  the  prisoners  who  cried  to 
the  captors  for  quarter,  after  his  arm  was  broken,  was 
refused,   and    in   despair    jumped    overboard   and   was 
drowned  ;  another  had  a  silver  spoon  (a  family  spoon), 
given  him  by  one  of  the  company  of  the  captors,  and 
another  of  the  captors,  Carleton,  took  the  spoon  from 
the  prisoner,  refusing  money  and  everything  he  offered 
for  redeeming  it,  and  carried  it  off.    From  another  young 
lad,  who  was  learning  music,  was  taken  his  guitar,  which 
had  been  delivered  up  to  him  by  others  of  the  captors. 
A  doctor,  who  valued  highly  a  fine  head  of  hair,  and 
begged  it  might  be  saved,  had  his  hair  shaved  off  against 
his  will,  and  he  made  a  laughing-stock. 

13  Sunday.  Very  hot  in  the  morning;  the  wind  at 
east  p.  m.,  and  cool.  Mr.  Steward  read  prayers  and  a 
sermon  at  church,  and  Britton  interrupted  the  reader, 
and  desired  him  to  come  to  a  close  ;  but  the  reader  took 
little  notice  of  the  caution,  and  went  on. 

1 7  Thursday.  Cloudy.  I  went  to  college  with  son 
John,  and  he  is  highly  pleased  with  his  reception  and 
with  the  tutors'  treatment  of  him,  with  his  chamber- 
mate,  room,  and  his  being  situated  near  four  of  his 
townsmen ;  he  assures  me  of  his  resolution  to  attend 
diligently  to  his  studies,  to  be  observant  of  the  laws  of 
the^college  and  the  orders  of  tutors  and  all  his  superiors, 


72  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [September, 

to  avoid  gaming  and  bad  company,  profanity  and  vice, 
and,  as  far  as  shall  be  in  his  power,  to  govern  his  hasty 
temper.     God  grant  he  may  perform  his  promise. 

1 8.  Friday.  I  leave  son  John  in  good  spirits  and,  to 
appearances,  easy  and  contented,  and  return  to  Salem. 
Cloudy  day. 

19.  Saturday.  Warm.  My  family  with  Mr.  Wet- 
more  dine  at  Mr.  Greenwood's. 

22.  Tuesday.  Warm.  News  of  the  arrival  of  the 
Fame  at  Amsterdam  ;  passage  about  five  weeks. 

23.  Wednesday.  Warm.  Maritime  Court  sits  here 
to-day. 

24.  Thursday.  Very  warm  indeed.  Maritime  Court 
breaks  up. 

25.  Friday.  Cool  and  pleasant.  Judge  Trowbridge 
dines  with  us,  and  visits  his  old  acquaintances.  He 
hath  not  been  in  Salem  since  November,  1774,  till  this 
day.  The  earth  excessively  dry,  and  wells  in  town  and 
country  begin  to  fail,  and  the  cattle  suffer  greatly  in  the 
pastures  for  want  of  water  ;  the  springs  have  not  been 
known  to  be  so  low  before. 

September  2.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  a  little  rain. 
Dr.  Putnam  went  with  me  to  Mr.  Derby's  farm,  to  see 
him  and  Judge  Trowbridge.     Wind  E. 

3.  Sunday.  A  moderate  rain,  which  greatly  refresh- 
eth  the  earth,  man,  and  beast. 

4.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm  day  ;  some  clouds.  Town 
meeting  for  election  of  officers  on  the  new  Constitution. 
Accounts  of  mob  of  50,000  men  in  London,  headed  by 
Lord  Gordon,  and  of  abuses  to  members  of  the  House 
of  Lords,  Bishops,  and  of  robberies,  burning  down  am- 
bassadors' chapels,  prisons,  burglaries,  etc.  Mr.  Flagg 
takes  the  store  for  salt. 

5.  Tuesday.  Cool  and  pleasant.  Judge  Trowbridge 
dines  at  Dr.  Putnam's. 


17S0.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  73 

6.  Wednesday.  J.  Thursday.  8.  Friday.  Rumours 
of  battle  between  Gen'l  Gates  and  the  Regulars  at  the 
southward.  Some  say  G.  carries  all  before  him  ;  others, 
that  all  are  behind,  pursuing  him. 

g.  Saturday.  Judge  Trowbridge  dines  at  Dr.  Hol- 
yoke's  ;  Dr.  Pickman  and  myself  there. 

10.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  In  hourly  expecta- 
tion of  news  of  the  Fame. 

11.  Monday.  Three  privateers  carried  to  Quebec, 
the  Harleajjin  and  Eagle  and  the  Jack. 

13.  Wednesday.    Warm,  and  rains  at  night  plentifully. 

14.  Thursday.  Clears  away  ;  wind  N.  W.  News  of 
Gen'l  Gates'  defeat  at  N.  Carolina,  and  loss  of  men,  and 
that  the  militia  deserted  from  him,  and  that  he  narrowly 
escaped.     Can  this  be  true,  after  the  news  in  the  paper  ? 

15.  Friday.  Several  have  letters  from  the  passengers 
and  the  company  of  the  Fame ;  none  from  B. ;  the  letters 
say  all  are  well. 

16.  Saturday.  Capt.  Knight  from  Amsterdam  says 
that  he  left. 

20.  Wednesday.  The  Fame's  prize  brig  comes  in,  and 
they  say  that  they  left  the  Fame  twelve  days  ago  near 

Bank,  and  all  well  on  board  ;  and  that  she  sailed 
finely,  and  chased  all  she  saw.  Now  who  tells  us  where 
she  is  ?  At  Halifax,  New  York,  or  was  she  chased  in 
her  turn,  and  gone  into  some  harbor  ? 

21.  Thursday.  No  news  of  the  Fame  ;  William  ! 
William  !     Animum  rege. 

22.  Friday.  Clear ;  wind  at  So.  A  report  that  two 
brigs  and  a  ship  are  seen  in  the  offing,  one  much  like 
the  Fame. 

23.  Saturday.  Clear  and  warm ;  wind  northeast. 
But  the  brigs,  etc.,  gone  into  Gloucester,  came  out  this 
morning,  and  [have]  gone  up  to  Boston. 


74  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [October, 

24.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  wind  at  southwest.  No  tidings 
of  the  Fame  yet, — nor  yet.  Nantucket  friends,  a  sister 
and  wife  here,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  William  Roche  : 
all  polite,  sensible,  and  good  people. 

25.  Monday.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  I  go  to  Newbury 
Court,  and  had  a  pleasant  week,  excepting  N.  E.  storm 
and  rain  on  Thursday  ;  return  on  Saturday.  There  Dr. 
Holten,1  one  of  the  Justices,  attends  and  conducts  with 
dignity  on  the  bench,  having  been  two  years  at  Congress, 
and  there  caught  considerable  of  the  Southern  manners. 
He  tells  us  that  Congress  has  no  expectation  of  any 
negotiation  with  Great  Britain  taking  place  this  year, 
and  that  probably  the  English  will  continue  masters  of 
the  sea,  and  while  they  do  they  can  maintain  the  war  ; 
that  the  revolts,  etc.,  in  South  America  will  probably 
take  off  the  Spanish  navy. 

October  2.  Monday.  Fair.  Returned  Shaftsbury, 
and  took  Francis'  Horace.  Rumours  that  Gen'l  Arnold 
left  his  post,  and  is  gone  off  to  N.  York,  having  been 
suspected  of  conspiring  with  Gen'l  Patterson,  an  officer 
of  the  Regulars,  to  deliver  up  to  the  British  forces  [our] 
fort. 

5.  Thursday.  Rain  ;  wind  N.  E.  Salem  town  meet- 
ing for  choice  of  representatives  on  the  new  Constitu- 
tion. 

6.  Friday.  Morning  fair  and  pleasant.  Joseph  Bow- 
ditch,  Esqr.,2  dies  this  morning.  Mrs.  P.  is  greatly  de- 
jected, having  no  news  of  the  Fame.  She  has  neither 
sleep  nor  rest.  The  good  news  brought  us  by  Mr. 
Sanders  of  son  John's  good  behaviour  at  college  does 

1  See  page  4,  note. 

2  Joseph  Bowditch  was  the  sixth  child  of  William  Bowditch,  whose 
wife  was  Mary  Gardner.  He  was  born  August  21, 1700,  and  was  the  great- 
grandson  of  William  Bowditch,  the  emigrant.  His  brother,  Ebenezer,  was 
the  grandfather  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  the  distinguished  mathematician. 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  75 

not  serve  to  revive  her  ;  the  soul,  like  the  sun,  hath  its 
clouds. 

7.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain  p.  m.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  from  Boston,  and  news  of  depreciation  law,  but 
none  of  the  Fame.  A  violent  storm  at  night,  of  wind 
and  rain. 

8.  Sunday.  A  fine  morning,  clear  and  pleasant. 
Neighbour  Williams  prophesies  that  the  Fame  and  crew 
are  gone  to  [the]  bottom  ;  it  at  present  seems  to  be  the 
language  of  fear  ;  they  may,  for  any  one  circumstance 
to  the  contrary,  be  either  at  New  York,  Newfoundland, 
Charleston,  Quebec,  or  Europe,  as  well  as  foundered. 
Why  then  need  they  be  given  up  for  lost  ?  God  for- 
bid ! 

9.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Town  meeting  for 
choice  of  representatives,  according  to  the  new  Consti- 
tution. Al.  Alcock,  a  bankrupt,  who  ran  away  from  his 
creditors  in  London  in  1774,  at  the  beginning  of  Ameri- 
can troubles,  now  puts  up  an  advertisement  at  the  Town 
house  door  on  Sunday  morning,  advising  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Salem  not  to  vote  for  any  who  had  left  the  place 
of  their  nativity  in  the  late  troubles,  none  who  had  been 
timid,  no  lawyers,  however  good  their  character,  as  the 
profession  is  dangerous  and  damnable,  to  say  no  worse 
of  it ;  but  to  vote  for  men  of  clear  heads  and  high 
spirits. 

The  town  choose  4  representatives,  and  all  refuse  but 
B.  Goodale ;  he  upon  condition  that  J.  Ashton  will  go. 
The  meeting  adjourns,  and  is,  as  J.  Gardner  [says],  in 
his  speech  to  the  moderator,  in  a  lam-men-tabe-bel  con- 
dition. 

10.  Tuesday.  Fair  day.  Dr.  Lloyd  calls  to  see  us. 
Mr.  Williams  here  in  the  evening. 

11.  Wednesday.     Wrote  to  Jno.  by  Mr.  Williams  that 


76  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

he  should  send  word  as  to  conveyance  from  Cambridge 
to  Salem  next  week  ;  at  evening  Jno.  comes  home  with 
Mr.  and  Miss  Sanders  in  their  chaise. 

12.  Thursday.  Fair.  At  adjournment  of  town  meet- 
ing H.  Higginson  is  chosen  representative,  and  't  is  now 
hoped  that  Mr.  Ashton  will  be  induced  to  go  to  Court 
with  Higginson,  Goodhue,  and  Ward.  Mr.  Dowst,  Dr. 
Lloyd,  Mrs.  and  Miss  Lloyd,  and  Misses  Dowst  are  here 
at  tea.  Major  Andre  is  executed  according  to  sentence 
in  the  papers,  and  the  infamous  Arnold  is  secured  at 
New  York  with  the  Regulars. 

13.  Friday.  Cloudy;  wind  S.  E.  A  white  flag  is  in 
the  offing,  said  to  be  a  flag  of  truce  from  Halifax.  God 
grant  us  good  news  of  the  Fame. 

14.  Saturday.  Fair  weather.  Dr.  Lloyd  and  family 
go  to  Andover  from  Salem ;  they  came  here  on  Tuesday 
last. 

15.  Sunday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Reports  from  N. 
York  that  the  Fame  has  not  been  there,  nor  at  Carolina ; 
(Equant,  difficile,  rebus  in  arduis  servare  mentem  ! 

N.  B.  At  Mr.  Prince's  meeting,  and  heard  nothing 
said  of  the  upright  Capt.  Bowditch,  deceased  ;  look  into 
the  newspapers,  and  with  indignation  behold  a  pompous 
account  of  the  piety  and  merits  of  the  almost  infamous 
Colo.  O.,  and  little,  very  little,  said  of  the  good  Dr.  Eliot. 

16.  Monday.    Cloudy;  W.  wind.     Combined  fleet  join. 

19.  Thursday.  Fair.  News  that  the  combined  fleet 
take  a  large  fleet  of  merchantmen,  and  some  men  bound 
to  Jamaica.     Capt.  Howland  returns. 

20.  Friday.  Fair.  No  Flag  from  Halifax,  and  hear 
nothing  of  the  Fame. 

21.  Saturday.  Fair.  Jno.  sets  out  for  Cambridge  on 
Mr.  Steward's  business,  and  returns  p.  M.  J.  Russell, 
Esqr.,  and  Mrs.  Henly  at  Mrs.  Curwen's  ;  Dr.  P.  and  I 


1780.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  77 

spend  the  evening  with  them.  It  is  now  said  that  Row- 
land, on  his  return  from  Halifax,  spake  with  a  Bermu- 
dian,  and  heard  nothing  of  the  Fame  being  carried  in 
there,  tho'  several  vessels  had  been  carried  in  there. 

22.  Sunday.  Hazy,  but  pleasant.  Tea  at  Dr.  Put- 
nam's with  J.  Russell,  Esqr.,  one  of  the  worthiest  of 
men  ;  he  was  appointed  a  Mandamus  Councillor,  and  for 
a  while  detested  by  the  rabble,  and  yet  had  this  summer 
a  great  many  votes  for  Lt.  Governor  under  the  new 
Constitution  ;  and  Mr.  Paine,  another  Mandamus  Coun- 
cillor, wanted  but  one  vote  for  representative  of  Worces- 
ter. Remember,  ye  Whiggs,  what  was  formerly  done  ! 
We  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Cabot's  with  Mr.  Russell, 
Mr.  Cary,  and  Mr.  Prince. 

23.  Monday.  Foggy ;  moderate  day.  A  sailor  from 
Newfoundland  says  that  the  Fame  has  not  been  carried 
in  there  ;  he  left  it  14  days  ago.  O  William  !  William  ! 
our  fears  increase,  and  the  circle  of  our  hopes  lesseneth 
daily ;  where  art  thou,  my  son  !  my  son  ! 

24.  Tuesday.  The  sailor's  account  is  by  many  dis- 
credited ;  has  been  found  in  part  untrue,  and  the  other 
part  is  hoped  to  be  false.  Jno.  sets  out  with  Mr.  Wet- 
more  for  Boston  election. 

25.  Wednesday.  Remarkably  fair  and  pleasant.  Well! 
this  is  the  day  for  election  of  Governor,  Senate,  etc.,  ac- 
cording to  the  new  Constitution  ;  but  at  noon  no  cannon 
is  heard,  no  42  pounders,  as  formerly  on  Election  Days. 
News  of  Indians  burning  houses  and  doing  much  mis- 
chief at  the  westward. 

26.  Thursday.  Fair  and  very  pleasant.  Mr.  Wetmore 
and  Jno.  return  from  Boston,  where  Governor  Hancock, 
in  a  suit  of  crimson  velvet,  plain,  was  yesterday  escorted 
from  his  house  to  the  Council  Chamber,  and  declared  to 
be  Governor  elect  before  a  great  concourse  of  people. 


7$  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

The  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  were 
the  Boston  members,  and  S.  Ward  of  Salem,  who  waited 
on  him  and  addressed  him  for  his  acceptance  ;  which 
ceremony,  with  divers  other  ceremonials,  etc.,  etc.,  took 
up  all  the  afternoon,  and  dinner  was  about  sunset.  No 
Lt.  Governor  or  Senate  yet  chosen. 

27.  Friday.  Fair.  Capt.  Cook  arrives  from  Bilbao  ; 
says  that  he  saw  the  B.  Fame  off  N.  F.  L.  banks 
14  days  agone,  standing  westward  ;  yet  Cook  and 
Brewer  knew  her  well,  as  did  others  of  the  crew. 

28.  Saturday.  Clouds,  and  some  rain  ;  an  appearance 
of  a  storm  upon  the  [late]  eclipse.1 

30.  Monday.  Wrote  to  Nat.  Sargent  of  Maiden  for 
my  due. 

31.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  rain  ;  cold.  J.  Sargeant  in 
town.  Behold  Governor  Hancock's  speech  ;  't  is  said  he 
is  ill,  and  was  so  when  he  composed  it.  See  Dr.  Cooper's 
sermon  and  address,  and  behold  the  man  —  ecce  homo  ! 
ecce  vir  !  en  and  ecce  !  Oh,  dear  !  Pitcher  is  dead  ! 
Oh,  dear  !  Indians  !  Indians  !     Tories  !  Tories  ! 

November  1.  Wednesday.  High  wind  and  N.  E. 
storm  from  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  snow,  rain, 
and  high  wind. 

4.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  At  evening  Mr.  Par- 
sons here  from  Cambridge. 

5.  Sunday.  Clear  and  fair.  See  Mr.  Bowdoin's  res- 
ignation of  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  Governor  Hancock's 
speech,  or  (as  some  insist)  Dr.  Cooper's  oration. 

6.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  John  sets  out  with  S. 
Orne  in  B.  Daland's  carriage,  the  horse,  driven  by  little 
Scipio,  to  Cambridge.  Put  into  the  post-office  a  letter 
for  Mr.  Browne,  Virginia. 

7.  Tuesday.     Supr.  Court  here  ;  cold  weather  all  the 

1  This  eclipse,  which  occurred  on  the  27th,  was  almost  total. 


1786.  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  79 

week.  Sargt.  Daniel  convicted  of  manslaughter  —  be- 
tween 12  and  13  years  old  when  he  committed  the 
crime  ;  upon  motion  on  his  behalf,  judgment  was  staid, 
and  he  bailed.  Query,  as  he  is  of  a  violent  temper, 
whether  this  indulgence  be  for  his  benefit  finally. 

8.   Wednesday.     Mr.  Van  from  New  Haven,  with 

a  letter  from  Mr.  Whittlesey,  here,  and  went  back  on 
Friday. 

10.  Friday.     The  Court  adjourns  without  day. 

17.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  John  comes  from 
Cambridge,  and  brings  a  rumour  from  J.  Amory  of  the 
Fame  being  at  N.  F.  Land. 

18.  Saturday.  Cold  N.  E.  storm  ;  rain.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  returns  from  Cambridge  and  brings  news  of  choice 
of  a  committee  to  revise  the  State  Laws,  and  reduce 
them  to  a  new  system  or  code.  Who  can  be  the  com- 
mittee ?     Of  the  house,  doubtless. 

19.  Sunday.  Rain.  Upon  enquiry,  Mr.  Wetmore 
finds  no  dependence  on  the  news  of  the  Fame  being  at 
N.  F.  Land.  The  proprietors  of  the  church  were  desired 
to  meet  after  service,  p.  m.,  and  they  conferred  with  Mr. 
Potter  from  Annapolis  as  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fisher x  being 
invited  to  come  to  preach  at  church,  and  the  committee 
for  procuring  a  minister  were  desired  to  write  to  Mr. 
Fisher,  and  give  him  a  state[ment]  of  church  matters 
here,  and  of  the  occasion  we  have  of  a  minister.  John 
sets  out  for  Cambridge. 

21.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Wetmore  goes  to  Admiralty  Court 
at  Boston. 

22.  Wednesday.  Write  to  Mr.  Fisher.  Mr.  Potter 
gives  us  a  good  account  of  his  moral  character  and  as  a 
preacher  ;  people  are  on  tiptoe  to  meet  him  and  to  hear 

1  Nathaniel  Fisher,  H.  C.  1763,  who  was  settled  at  St.  Peter's  two 
years  later.     He  died  in  181 2. 


80  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

him  at  church  ;  one  will  give  this  and  another  that.  Poor 
Steward  !  't  is  all  bitterness  to  thee  !  We  are  grieved 
for  thee  ! 

23.  Thursday.  Letters  from  Mr.  Hodgson,  and  an 
account  of  B.'s  leaving  his  for  another  house.  In  the 
papers  news  of  a  French  fleet  at  Georgia,  and  of  their 
taking  some  English  ships,  and  landing  part  of  6000 
troops,  and  taking  forts. 

24.  Friday.     J.  Parker  brought  to  jail  by  mittimus. 

25.  Saturday.  Rains  all  day  ;  at  night  wind  at  N.  W., 
and  clears  away.  Another  week  ends,  and  no  news  of 
the  Fame  ! 

30.    Thursday.     Col.  Gridley  here. 

December  4.  Monday.  Fair  and  very  pleasant.  Good 
news  from  General  Court  that  the  Committee  of  Ways 
and  Means  have  agreed  to  report  that  they  can't  proceed 
with  any  prospect  of  success  until  the  iniquitous  Tender 
Law  be  repealed. 

5.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  morn,  but  fair,  cool  day.  Went 
to  Ipswich  with  Mr.  Bowditch's  daughter,  [Mrs.]  Jeffry, 
and  J.  Gardner,  to  prove  his  will.  John  comes  from 
Cambridge ;  could  not  have  leave  of  absence  for  more 
than  the  vacancy  of  a  week. 

6.  Wednesday.  Cool  day.  Dr.  Putnam,  Blaney,  and 
self  spend  the  evening  at  Mrs.  Sargent's. 

7.  Thursday.  Mist  and  rain  part  of  day.  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  John,  little  Billy,  and  myself  go  to  Mr.  Orne's, 
Danvers,  and  dine  and  keep  Thanksgiving  ;  S.  Orne 
there  also. 

8.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  wet,  drifty  weather. 
Account  is  in  papers  of  a  horrible  hurricane  in  the  West 
Indies,  exceeding  any  hitherto  known.  Spent  the  even- 
ing at  Mr.  Sparhawk's  ;  present,  Professor  Williams,  Dr. 
Putnam,  Dr.  Holyoke  ;  had  an  account  of  the  professor's 


T7So.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  tfl 

and  co.  view  of  the  Eclipse  at  Penobscot ;  of  Colo.  Camp- 
bell's disobliging  treatment  of  them,  and  of  Captain 
Mowat's  polite  behaviour  and  obliging  conduct  on  the 
occasion  ;  also  heard  of  W.'s  and  others'  ill-treatment  of 
Dr.  Calef's  son,  a  passenger. 

ii.  Monday.  Town  meeting  to  raise  men  ;  do  noth- 
ing. 

12.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  The  drum  is  beat  to 
raise  a  martial  spirit  for  town  meeting  to-day,  at  which 
73  men  are  to  be  raised  for  the  Continental  army ;  the 
inhabitants  meet  and  vote  the  sum  of  £ 

14.  Thursday.  Fair.  Shocking  news  as  to  [the]  hur- 
ricane in  [the]  W.  Indies  by  the  papers  ;  as  to  Jamaica, 
scarce  credible.  Mark  this  account — 12  men-of-war 
and  crews  destroyed. 

15.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  snow.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Orne  here,  and  return  at  night  by  moonlight. 

16.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  part  of  the  day.  Mr.  Oliver 
from  Boston  with  a  very  complaisant  letter  from  Mr. 
Henshaw,  Clerk  of  Sup.  Court.  Mr.  Vans  [brings]  news 
of  [the]  appointment  of  a  Judge  of  Sup.  Court. 

21.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Sad  news  from  Eng- 
land as  to  election  of  members  for  Parliament ;  Burke, 
Howe,  and  others  fail ;  20,000  men  coming  to  America  ; 
another  campaign  expected.  State  of  Vermont  seems  to 
be  going  off.  Mess.  .  .  .  and  Sumner,  Church  clergy- 
men, here. 

22.  Friday.  Clear  and  very  cold  a.  m.  ;  cloudy  p.  m. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Greenwood  here. 

23.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  snow.  Returned  Francis' 
Horace. 

25.  Monday.     Christmas,   and  rainy.     Dined  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's   with    Mr.    Goodale   and  family,   John,   and 
Patty.     Mr.  Barnard  and  Prince  at  church ;  the  music 
good,  and  Dr.  Steward's  voice  above  all. 
6 


82  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [January, 

26.  Tuesday.     The  Globe  from  Mr.  Goodale. 

27.  Wednesday.  St.  John's  Day.  The  Freemasons 
meet  at  church  ;  have  anthems,  etc.,  to  Hancock  and 
Washington,  repeating  and  reciting  their  names  as  they 
proceeded  with  the  musick  ;  the  organ  and  a  bass  viol  by 
turns  were  heard.  That  done,  Mr.  Hiller  in  the  pulpit 
rose  and  delivered  a  kind  of  5th  of  March  oration,  with 
a  mixture  of  blank  verse,  on  the  subject  and  origin  of 
Masonry  and  on  brotherly  love ;  few  mountebanks  pos- 
sess themselves  better  than  he  did  ;  he  interwove  his 
web  with  a  prayer  to  God,  as  founder  and  Grand  Master 
of  Masonry. 

28.  Thursday.  Dined  at  Dr.  Holyoke's  with  brother 
Blaney. 

30.  Saturday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Wrote  to  J.  Smith, 
Esqr.,  and  inclosed  Peter's  receipt,  by  Mr.  Wetmore. 

yanuary  1.  1781.  A  very  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Orne 
here. 

2.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  but  warm.  The  price  of  wood 
falls;  it  is  now  from  ^130  to  ,£145  a  cord.  A  smart 
firing  is  heard  to-day  (Mr.  Brooks  is  married  to  Miss 
Hathorne,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Estey),  and  was  as  loud, 
and  the  rejoicing  near  as  great,  as  on  the  marriage  of 
Robt.  Peas,  celebrated  last  year ;  the  fiddling,  dancing, 
etc.,  about  equal  in  each. 

3.  Wednesday.  Snow  and  cloudy.  At  evening  Mr. 
Parker  came  to  town. 

4.  Thursday.  Mr.  Parker  preached  morning  and 
afternoon  at  the  church,  and  in  the  afternoon  baptized 
1 1  children.  It  rained  hard  in  the  night.  At  Mr. 
Barnard's  at  supper. 

5.  Friday.  A  fine,  moderate  day,  like  April  weather. 
Mr.  Parker  goes  home. 

6.  Saturday.  A  fine  day,  like  May  ;  a  robin  appears 
in  neighbour  Rand's  garden. 


1781.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  83 

9.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Wetmore  comes 
home  from  Boston.  Mr.  Parsons  here  ;  Mr.  Osgood 
here  also. 

10.  Wednesday.  Snow,  and  wind  S.  E.,  and  raw.  We 
hear  the  debt  of  this  State  is  in  silver  money  ;£  1,200, 600, 
the  half  to  be  paid  in  August  next.  This,  't  is  said,  will 
easily  be  done,  it  being  no  more  than  was  done  the  year 
past. 

11.  Thursday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Mrs.  Sargent  died 
to-day.  Mr.  Greenwood  informs  of  Capt.  Babson's 
story,  told  him  at  ....  by  a  Capt.  of  man-of-war,  who 
says  the  brig  Fame  was  taken  by  a  fleet  and  carried  to 
England,  and  he  saw  her  and  described  her. 

12.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  The  selectmen  com- 
mit to  jail  as  a  prisoner  of  war  .  .  .  who  came  in  here 
as  a  passenger  in  order  to  settle  in  the  country  as  a 
subject  of  the  United  States.  Query,  their  power —  1, 
to  commit ;  2,  to  do  it  without  mittimus.  Note,  he  is 
an  Irishman,  but  had  not  been  taken. 

14.  Sunday.  Snow.  Mrs.  Sargent 2  was  buried  after 
church.  Bearers,  Mr.  Nutting  and  Capt.  Derby,  Mr. 
Cabot  and  Dr.  Putnam,  Dr.  Holyoke  and  Pynchon. 
Mrs.  Cotnam's  letter  to  Mrs.  Pynchon  was  brought  from 
Halifax  in  the  Cartel,  and  forwarded  by  express  order  of 
Gov.  Hancock ;  est-il  possible  ?  A  rumpus  is  brewing. 
The  selectmen  commit  to  jail  Mr.  ...  as  a  prisoner, 
and  refuse  admittance  to  his  fits  ;  complaints  are  made 
to  G.  and  Council. 

15.  Monday.     Clear  and  pleasant.     Mr.  Brian  taken 

1  Mrs.  Catherine  Sargent  was  the  second  wife  of  Colonel  Epes  Sargent, 
and  a  former  wife  of  Samuel  Browne.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John 
Winthrop  and  Anna,  daughter  of  Governor  Joseph  Dudley.  Colonel 
Sargent  was  the  son  of  William  Sargent,  of  Gloucester.  After  his  mar- 
riage with  his  first  wife,  Esther  MacCarty,  he  removed  to  Salem,  and  die 
in  1762. 


84  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [January, 

up  as  prisoner,  and  ordered  to  go  to  Boston  with  his  wife 
and  young  infant  child. 

ly.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold.  News  that  some  of 
the  Continental  army  have  left  it  for  want  of  clothes  and 
pay  ;  two  brigades  gone  to  Trenton. 

18.  Thursday.  Raw  and  cold.  Dr.  Anderson  married 
Miss  D.  Clarke  last  evening.1  Sent  to  R.  Rogers,  gold- 
smith, at  Ipswich,  a  pattern  for  6  teaspoons,  and  tea- 
tongs,  by  Mr.  Dennis,  the  tongs  to  be  33  pwt.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sparhawk  and  daughter  spend  the  afternoon  with 
us. 

19.  Friday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning,  as  calm  as 
May. 

20.  Saturday.  A  like  morning  ;  cloudy  in  afternoon. 
Great  quantity  of  wood. 

21.  Sunday.  Rain  and  some  snow,  but  a  warm  air. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  in  town  ;  he  tells  us  of  the  bill  for 
repealing  the  Tender  Law  having  passed  the  House  last 
Friday,  and  with  some  small  amendment  probably  would 
pass  the  Senate. 

22.  Monday.  An  exceeding  fine  day,  like  May  more 
than  January  ;  at  night  a  storm  of  rain,  snow,  wind,  etc. 
Messrs.  Barnard  and  Prince  both  now  meet  with  our 
Club.2  Mr.  Hitchburn  in  town,  and  returns  to  Boston  ; 
also  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell. 

1  Dr.  John  Hartley  Anderson,  brother  of  Mrs.  Hoyland  and  Mrs.  Allen, 
was  born  at  Knottingly.  He  studied  physic  in  London,  and  afterward 
studied  surgery  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  Barrow,  of  London,  for  four  years. 
He  was  a  surgeon  in  the  British  navy.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  went 
on  a  cruise,  and  returned  to  Salem,  too  ill  to  be  removed  from  his  ship, 
where  he  died  in  Salem  harbor,  November  16,  178 1.  Miss  Clarke  was  a 
daughter  of  Captain  John  and  Ann  (Furness)  Clarke.  Her  only  child, 
Mary,  was  born  on  the  day  after  her  father's  death.  Mrs.  Anderson  died 
on  the  23d  of  March,  1841. 

2  The  Club  here  mentioned  was  composed  of  the  leading  gentlemen  of 
Salem,  the  more  prominent  of  whom  were  Dr.  Holyoke,  William  Pynchon, 


r78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  85 

23.  Tuesday.  Northeast  storm,  snow,  hail,  wind,  and 
rain  ;  Dame  and  I  sit  quiet  and  hear  it  by  her  shop 
stove. 

24.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate  weather.  Spent 
the  evening  at  Dr.  Anderson's ;  two  ministers  and  large 
merry  company. 

26.  Friday.  A  cold  morning,  and  the  streets  before 
breakfast  are  full  of  wood,  the  sledding  being  excellent. 

28.  Sunday.    A  fine,  pleasant  day  ;  no  lights  at  night. 

29.  Monday.  An  exceeding  fine  day  ;  no  wind.  Ru- 
mour that  Sir  W.  Pepperell  [is  to  be]  governor. 

30.  Tuesday.  A  cloudy  morning  ;  little  wind  ;  April 
weather.  Sir  Wm.  Pepperell,  it  is  said,  is  to  be  governor 
of  a  province  extending  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Casco  Bay, 
and  that  the  country  is  to  be  reduced  for  that  purpose 

Dr.  Putnam,  Judge  Andrew  Oliver,  Judge  Benjamin  Lynde,  Judge  Nathan- 
iel Ropes,  Rev.  William  McGilchrist,  Rev.  Thomas  Barnard,  Dr.  Joshua 
Plummer,  Colonel  Pickman,  Colonel  Frye,  Colonel  Epes  Sargent,  Stephen 
Higginson,  Mr.  Thomas  Robie,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Curwen,  men  for  the  most 
part,  as  has  been  said,  of  literary  attainment,  great  critical  acumen,  and  of 
considerable  research  in  theology.  As  the  war  drew  on,  and  political 
feeling  became  more  bitter,  the  meetings  of  the  Club,  many  of  whose  mem- 
bers were  Tories,  were  more  and  more  thinly  attended,  and  at  last,  during 
the  first  years  of  the  war,  were  for  a  time  wholly  suspended.  In  a 
letter  to  Colonel  Browne,  at  this  time,  Mr.  Pynchon  thus  alludes  to  the 
waning  strength  of  the  Club  :  "  You  may  easily  imagine  what  a  figure  our 
solitary  clubb  now  makes.  We  are  at  considerable  pains  to  keep  the 
small  remains  of  it  together,  weekly  notifying  the  time  and  place  of 
meeting.  When  met  (the  waggs  say)  we  sit  looking  at  one  another  speech- 
less, as  the  cats  in  cloudy  weather  ;  and  if  a  word  of  news,  the  times, 
mobs,  recantations,  troops,  or  congresses,  etc.,  etc.,  pops  out  thro'  inad- 
vertence or  impatience,  two  or  three  forefingers  are  instantly  pointed  at 
the  doors  and  windows  of  the  room,  so  that  a  stranger,  from  the  silence, 
forefingers,  and  long  faces,  would  suppose  a  funeral  at  each  door.  But  the 
Clubb,  regardless  of  waggs,  etc.,  goes  on.  However,  it  would  really  give 
us  much  pleasure  and  no  disagreeable  surprise  if  without  previous  notice 
you  would  bolt  in  upon  us  one  of  these  gloomy  evenings." 


86  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

as  far  north  as  the  Bay.  The  sun  broke  out  to-day  ;  in 
the  afternoon  the  sky  was  again  covered  with  clouds. 
Messrs.  Lowell,  Higginson,  and  Clark  in  town. 

31.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Greenwood 
and  I  went  yesterday  evening  to  Mr.  Orne's  ;  drank  tea 
and  supped  there,  and  returned  at  about  12  at  night. 

February  1.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  somewhat  warm. 
Mr.  Wetmore  moves  to  Colo.  Sargent's  house.  [An] 
English  74,  the  Culloden,  cast  away  at  R.  Island. 

3.  Saturday.  Fine  weather.  A  prize  comes  into 
Manchester,  taken  by  the  Essex  ;  [many]  of  the  people 
died  ;  the  rest  with  great  difficulty  got  in. 

4.  Sunday.  A  snow-storm  ;  wind  S.  E.,  with  hail  and 
rain. 

5.  Monday.  A  fine,  moderate  morning  ;  the  snow 
not  deep.  News  that  Deerfield,  at  a  town  meeting,  in- 
structed their  representative  to  use  his  endeavours  to 
compound  with  Great  Britain ;  and  it  has  raised  a  fog 
and  a  flame,  and  a  fuss  at  the  General  Court  and  in  the 
political  world ;  J.  Williams  !  what  is  thy  portion  ? 

6.  Tuesday.  Morning  an  exceedingly  fine  one,  like  a 
morning  in  May,  excepting  the  snow  on  the  ground. 

8.  Thursday.  A  fine  day,  like  yesterday.  The  coun- 
trymen, farmers,  etc.,  now  groan  out  aloud  about  taxes, 
and  about  the  burthen  of  raising  men  for  the  Continental 
army,  and  about  an  army  to  be  sent  to  the  eastward  to 
secure  Casco  Bay,  parts  of  which,  as  is  said,  are  to  be 
attacked  by  the  English  in  the  spring. 

9.  Friday.  Clear  and  very  cold.  Wood  is  coming 
down  to  ;£8o  to  £90  a  cord. 

11.  Sunday.  The  snow  pretty  deep,  and  the  weather 
cold.     At  Mr.  Cabot's  at  night. 

12.  Monday.  Fair  and  cold.  Evening,  Club  at  Mr. 
Blaney's  lodgings  at  Colo  Sargent's. 


I78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  87 

13.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  day  ;  good  sledding  ;  plenty 
of  wood.  Mr.  Greenwood,  Ward  and  co.  set  out  in 
Walker's  sleigh  for  Boston  ;  J.  P.,  coachman,  on  the  box, 
as  happy  as  a  lord.  Mrs.  Newhall  and  daughter  come 
to  town.     Mrs.  Orne  very  ill. 

16.  Friday,  A  fine,  warm  day  ;  no  wood  comes  ;  the 
sledding  and  snow  are  going  off.  John  sets  out  again 
with  Count  Walker  for  Boston. 

17.  Saturday.  News  confirmed  that  Count  D'Estaing 
fell  in  with  the  English  fleet,  and  took  or  destroyed  7  of 
the  Line,  with  Transports.    A  fine,  fair  day  ;  wind  comes 

in  to  N.  W. 

18.  Sunday.  A  cold  day.  I  went  with  Dr.  Putnam 
to  Mr.  One's  ;  find  Mrs.  Pynchon,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne, 
all  ill.  Mr.  Sanders,  from  Albany,  says  that  Vermont  is 
to  be  a  separate  State,  allowed  by  Congress  ;  that  State 
to  defend  the  frontiers  and  to  be  in  confederation  with 
the  other  American  States  against  their  enemies. 

19.  Monday.  Rain  and  snow  ;  wind  S.  E.  Mr. 
Wetmore  goes  to  Boston  with  Mr.  Hill.  The  English 
papers  give  an  account  of  Mrs.  Ab.  Gardiner's  death  at 
Pool,  nea/  Bristol.  She  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  Sylvester 
Gardiner  of  Boston,1  daughter  of  the  late  Colo.  Pickman, 
widow  of  W.  Epes,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of  great  worth 
and  deserved  esteem,  a  Virginian. 

21.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  but  cool  morning.  Ru- 
mours that  several  towns  meet  and  decline  raising  more 
men  for  the  war,  by  reason  of  inability  to  pay  them. 

1  Dr  Sylvester  Gardiner  was  the  great-grandson  of  Joseph,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Narragansett.  He  was  born  in  1717,  and  was  educated  as 
a  physician.  He  was  a  determined  loyalist,  and  left  Boston  with  the 
British  troops.  He  returned  to  Newport,  however,  and  there  died  in 
1786  His  second  wife,  here  mentioned,  was  Abigail  Epes,  of  Virginia.  He 
was  a  man  of  large  estate,  much  of  which  was  confiscated.  His  grandson 
was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gardiner,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston,  from  1805 
until  1830. 


88  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

22.  Thursday.  Snow  and  rain.  News  that  Gen'l 
Green  obtains  a  victory  at  ....  ,  and  that  the  account 
of  the  capture  of  the  English  ships  by  D'Estaing  is 
groundless  ;  but  it  probably  had  been  held  much  longer 
as  true  had  it  not  been  for  Green's  affair. 

24.  Saturday.  Fine,  clear,  and  warm  morning.  News 
that  the  owners,  etc.,  of  the  Rhodes  privateer  are  ad- 
judged trespassers  for  taking  the  Rhode  Island  ship, 
and  have  to  pay  ^2000  silver  money  and  upwards,  dam- 
ages ;  that  certain  Justices  in  each  county  are  empowered 
by  Act  of  the  General  Court  to  suspend  the  Habeas 
Corpus  Act,  in  case  (as  it  is  said)  that  any  towns  or 
persons  shall  dare  instruct  their  representatives  as  Deer- 
field  hath  done,  or  be  guilty  of  speaking  or  [thinkjing 
too  loud  against  either  wind  or  tide  of  politics  ;  .  .  .  . 
for  Essex  are  appointed. 

26.  Monday.  Fair  and  blustering.  I  go  with  Daniel 
Oliver  to  Danvers  in  Mr.  Cabot's  chaise  ;  find  Mrs. 
Pynchon  and  all  of  them  growing  better  of  the  throat 
distemper  ;  we  return  at  tea-time. 

27.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Some  wood,  but 
very  little  provisions.  Friend  Hussey  denies  his  telling 
me  insolently  that  he  had  work'd  or  jockeyed  me,  but 
P.  Pynchon  and  J.  Osgood  were  present.  News  that 
Arnold's  fleet  is  taken  and  sail  to  Newport. 

28.  Wednesday.  Went  with  Dr.  Putnam  to  Mr.  Orne's 
farm.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston  ;  speaks  of 
certain  proposals  of  consequence  pro  vita.  Mr.  Pulling1 
comes  to  town  to  live. 

March  I.  TJmrsday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Goodale  with 
Mr.  Wetmore  goes  to  Danvers.     Dr.   Putnam  is  some- 

1  Edward  Pulling,  H.  C.  1775,  was  a  son  of  John  Pulling  and  Jerusha 
Bradbury,  his  second  wife.  He  became  a  distinguished  barrister  of 
Salem,  and  died  prematurely  in  1799,  at  the  age  of  forty-three. 


i78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  89 

what  better.     R.   Derby,   Esq.,  taken  ill,  voiding  blood 
from  his  stomach,  and  accounted  dangerous. 

2.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  at  night  rain.  Mr.  Pullen 
and  clerk  Osgood  at  my  house.  Mrs.  Pynchon  grows 
better. 

4.  Sunday.  Clear  and  windy.  I  go  against  the  wind 
to  Mr.  Orne's,  and  find  little  benefit  from  oiling  my  face. 
Find  the  sick  recovering,  and  return  and  drink  tea  at 
Dr.  Putnam's. 

5.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  snows.  Club.  Mr.  Cabot 
dangerously  ill. 

6.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Mr.  Dunbar  in 
town  ;  he  appears  to  be  distressed,  and  to  think  he  is 
oppressed  by  tyrannical  creditors. 

7.  Wednesday.  N.  E.  storm  and  some  snow;  at  12 
the  wind  high,  and  snows.  At  2  John  sets  out  for  Bos- 
ton with  F.  Cabot,  thence  to  walk  to  college  ;  Mr.  Win- 
throp  carried  his  bundles  in  his  sulky  to  Cambridge; 
they  lodge  at  Chelsea. 

8.  Thursday.  News  of  Admiral  Rodney's  attack  upon 
merchant  ships  at  St.  Eustatius. 

9.  Friday.     Mr.  Dunbar  very  ill  at  Dr.  Putnam's. 

10.  Saturday.  Fair  and  cool.  Plenty  of  wood  brought 
in  sleds.     I  go  to  Danvers  and  lodge. 

12.  Monday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Wrote  to  John  by 
Mr.  Jennison.     Town  meeting. 

13.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear,  windy  day.  Dr.  Lloyd 
in  town. 

14.  Wednesday.  Some  rain  and  some  snow.  Mr. 
Vans  informs  of  the  imprisonment  of  Catlin,  Williams, 
and  Ashley  of  Deerfield,  by  Governor  and  Council,  as 
seditious  and  dangerous  persons  ;  proof  was  by  [their] 
conduct  at  Town  meeting,  and  instructions  to  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  town  as  to  a  speedy  peace,  and  as  to  the 


90  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [March, 

sentiments  and  expressions  about  taxes  being  insupport- 
able by  many  of  the  people. 

1 6.  Friday.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston  ;  while 
there  went  twice  to  see  Williams,  but  could  not  see  him, 
he  being  committed  to  close  confinement  in  a  low,  dark 
room  ;  denied  pen,  ink,  etc.,  and  all  conversation  with 
any  but  jailer.  A  physician,  Dr.  Williams,  went  twice  to 
see  him  and  was  not  admitted. 

20.  Tuesday.  The  last  of  arresting  for  the  April 
Court. 

21.  Wednesday.  Went  to  Boston  on  Dr.  Orne's  horse 
to  see  Williams  ;  no  mittimus  nor  cause  of  commitment 
to  be  seen  ;  then  I  went  to  Sheriff  Henderson,  and  with 
him  to  Gov.  Hancock,  who  humanely  ordered  that  the 
prisoners  should  have  a  physician  and  all  necessaries  and 
conveniences. 

22.  TJiursday.  [In]  morning  returned  from  Dr.  Wil- 
liams of  Roxbury,  where  I  lodged  last  night.  Saw  Mr. 
Powell,  Mr.  Rowe,  and  Lt.  Gov.  Cushing,  and  finding 
no  prospect  of  their  being  admitted  to  bail  was  returning 
home,  and  found  the  sheriff  had  orders  from  the  governor 
that  the  prisoners  might  have  pen,  ink,  etc.,  and  petition 
for  enlargement,  etc.,  but  the  petition  was  rejected  ; 
Mr.  Cushing  and  Dr.  Holten,  committee. 

24.  Saturday.  Fair.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  Mr.  Wet- 
more  go  to  Cambridge,  and  return  home  from  Boston  at 
night. 

25.  Sunday.  News  that  the  British  fleet  had  returned 
to  New  York. 

26.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  Mr.  Lowell 
here,  and  says  that  the  fleet  of  Transports  only  re- 
turned. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Dr.  Orne  went 
to  Boston  to  see  J.  Williams  in  jail,  and  returns,  and 
says  that  he  hath  a  bad  cough  and  hath  spit  blood. 


1781.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  91 

29.  TJiursday.  Snow;  wind  N.  E.,  and  cold.  News 
that  St.  Eustatius  is  taken  by  the  British  fleet,  and  2000 
troops  landed,  and  it  surrendered  without  opposition  ; 
and  all  the  shipping  was  taken,  a  Dutch  man-of-war,  and 
frigates  ;  that  St.  Martin's  also  was  taken  ;  that  the 
French  fleet  was  returned  to  R.  Island,  having  had  a 
bloody  engagement  with  the  English. 

31.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  At  night  visit 
Mr.  Cabot,  and  find  him  in  good  spirits. 

April  1.  Sunday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  The  Brutus 
brings  in  a  privateer  sloop  taken  near  Cape  Cod.  The 
prisoners,  as  soon  as  the  jail  door  was  shut  upon  them, 
gave  3  cheers,  making  the  house  to  ring:  much  better 
this  than  either  snivelling  or  being  sulky.  Mr.  Cabot 
worse. 

2.  Monday.  Rain  and  cold  N.  E.  wind.  Town  meet- 
ing for  choice  of  State  officers. 

3.  Tuesday.     Rain.     Court  at  Ipswich. 

4.  Wednesday.  I  went  to  Ipswich  with  young  Mr. 
Hodges  ;  the  Court  did  very  little  business  till  this 
morning. 

5.  Thursday.     Mrs.  Pynchon  returned  from  Boston. 

7.  Saturday.  At  night  I  returned  from  Ipswich  with 
Mr.  Osgood  and  Oliver.  Drank  tea  at  Mr.  Browne's, 
Wenham. 

8.  Sunday.  We  hear  from  Philadelphia  that  the  Ex- 
change is  at  120  dollars  for  one. 

10.  Tuesday.     And  here  hath  risen  from  75  to  80. 

11.  Wednesday.     Goods  grow  scarce. 

14.  Saturday.  Wrote  to  J.  Williams  by  Mr.  Flagg 
not  to  hurry  on  a  petition  to  the  General  Court. 

15.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Several  vessels  came 
in  from  the  W.  Indies  to  Boston,  Beverly,  and  Salem. 
Mrs.  Orne  came  alone,  and  went  to  church  with  us,  and 
returned  at  night. 


92  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [April, 

17.  Tuesday.     Fair.     Dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

18.  Wednesday.  Fair  and  moderate.  What  are  the 
troops  about  [at  the]  southward  ?  S.  G.  says  they  have 
had  a  bloody  [battle].  Mr.  Sanders  and  B.  Pickman 
dine  with  us. 

19.  Thursday.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston. 
Williams  is  not  worse,  but  rather  firm  and  cheerful,  and 
the  prisoners  choose  to  bear  the  inconvenience  of  the 
damp  room  in  which  they  are  rather  than  turn  out  a 
stranger  from  a  better,  for  accommodating  them.  Par- 
ker puts  Riddon  in  jail.     Mr.  Sewall  dines  with  us. 

20.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  rain.  Mr.  Sewall  explains 
the  mysterious  conduct  of  the  Councillors  as  to  Gov. 
Hancock  and  the  prisoners'  petition,  and  as  to  Dr.  Hol- 
ten.     Some  thunder  and  lightning  at  night. 

23.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm  morning.  Rumours  that 
Cornwallis  fled  after  the  battle,  and  left  his  wounded  on 
the  field. 

24.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  and  fine  rain.  See  new  Act 
prohibiting  all  correspondence  with  Britons.1 

26.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Baldwin  and  his 
brother  come  and  lodge  here. 

27.  Friday.  John  goes  to  Cambridge  with  Baldwin. 
Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston,  and  says  that  Wil- 
liams and  co.  are  enlarged  and  gone  home  ;  that  they 
petitioned  for  it  to  the  whole  Court ;  and  that  he  himself 
is  dismissed  by  Madam  D. 

28.  Saturday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Bottled  34  bottles  of 
spirit  and  10  case  bottles,  in  all  about  11  gallons. 

1  The  Act  here  referred  to  is  probably  that  passed  on  the  3d  of  March, 
requiring  all  vessels  arriving  at  any  port  in  the  Commonwealth  from  any 
port  in  possession  of  the  enemy  to  be  searched,  and  any  private  letter  or 
packet  belonging  to  any  passenger  to  be  examined  and  detained,  if  thought 
necessary.  See  Acts  and  Resolutions,  Massachusetts  Records  for  the 
year  1781. 


1781.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  93 

May  1.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Put  into  the 
ground  some  dwarf  peas,  radish  seeds,  and,  last,  planted 
early  beans.     Judge  Lynde  kicked  by  a  horse. 

2.  Wednesday.  Planted  large  marrowfat  peas  in  two 
rows  east  of  the  cherry-trees,  and  white  beans  west  of 
the  main  alley,  and  speckled  beans  on  the  east  side  half, 
and  the  northern  part  the  white  sort  ;  Mr.  Flagg's  beans 
on  the  left  hand  turning  to  the  garden  ;  peppergrass  in 
short  bed  by  sparrowgrass.  Yesterday  Judge  Lynde's 
leg  was  broken  by  kick  of  his  horse,  and  it  is  thought  he 
cannot  recover. 

3.  Thursday.  This  is  Fast  day,  and  should  be  (as  it 
proveth  to  be)  somewhat  cloudy  and  gloomy.  Mrs.  F. 
Cabot  taken  ill  of  a  pleurisy. 

4.  Friday.  Mr.  Dowst  comes  from  Boston  ill.  Mrs. 
Cabot  delirious. 

5.  Saturday.  Fine,  moderate  weather.  Barker  in 
jail  as  [a]  dangerous  person.     Mrs.  Cabot  grows  worse. 

6.  Swiday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Eliot  preacheth 
at  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting-house.  Mrs.  Cabot  has  had 
no  sleep  since  Friday  until  this  night. 

7.  Monday.  Cloudy.  Mrs.  Cabot  was  raving  most 
of  the  night,  but  sleeps  a  little  ;  little  hopes  of  her  re- 
covery. Mess.  Eliot  and  Prince  dine  here.  Mrs.  Cabot 
sleeps,  and  there  seems  now  some  hope. 

8.  Tuesday.  Rain,  and  northeast  wind  and  raw  cold. 
Mrs.  Cabot  rested  finely  and  seems  to  be  in  a  hopeful 
way,  which  has  cheered  up  Mr.  C.  and  the  whole  family. 
Mr.  Lowell  comes  to  see  Mrs.  Cabot. 

9.  Wednesday.  Rains  so  that  we  can't  go  to  Ipswich 
Court,  the  adjournment  being  to  this  day. 

10  Thursday.  Cold  N.  E.  wind,  and  cloudy.  We  go 
to  Ipswich  and  find  the  Court  did  not  meet,  so  that 
all  the  business  of  the  Court  continued  over  is  dead  and 
gone,  null  and  void,  and  we  return  E.  D. 


94  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

11.  Friday.  Fine,  fair  day  ;  and  I  plant  corn  in  the 
garden,  and  find  the  beans  are  coming  up.  Mr.  Oliver 
returns  from  Boston  ;  Mr.  Winthrop  of  New  London  in 
town. 

12.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  small  rain.  It  is  said  the 
wicked  and  abandoned  Colo.  Browne,1  formerly  of  this 
town,  is  made  governor  of  Bermuda.  I  dine  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's  with  Colo.  Sargent,  Mr.  Blaney,  Mr.  Win- 
throp, Forbes,  and  co. 

14.  Monday.  Very  pleasant.  Town  meeting,  and 
Mr.  Goodale  chosen  a  Representative.  Mr.  Wetmore 
had  one  vote,  H.  Derby  one,  I  none.  Spent  the  even- 
ing with  the  Club  at  Mr.  Sparhawk's  ;  four  clergymen 
present. 

1  Colonel  William  Browne,  here  alluded  to,  was  the  son  of  Samuel 
Browne,  who  married  Catharine,  a  daughter  of  John  Winthrop,  Esq.,  and 
great-grandson  of  Major  William  Browne.  He  was  born  on  the  5th  of 
of  March,  1736,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1755,  was  appointed 
a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1774,  and  left  Salem  in  1775.  He  married 
Ruth,  a  daughter  of  Governor  Wanton  of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  made 
governor  of  the  Bermudas  in  1782.  He  died  in  London.  "The  family 
to  which  Colonel  Browne  belonged,"  says  Colonel  Pickman,  was  "the 
most  respectable  that  has  ever  lived  in  the  town  of  Salem,  holding  places 
of  the  highest  trust  in  the  town,  county,  and  State,  and  possessing  great 
riches."  In  a  memorandum  made  by  Mr.  George  A.  Ward,  and  now  in 
the  possession  of  his  nephew,  George  R.  Curwen,  of  Salem,  it  appears  that 
the  appointment  of  Colonel  Browne  to  the  governorship  of  Bermuda  was 
partly  due  to  the  influence  of  Mr.  Thompson,  afterward  Count  Rumford, 
who,  when  young,  took  passage  in  the  same  vessel  with  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Browne.  Young  Thompson,  who  from  motives  of  economy  occupied  a 
place  in  the  steerage,  was  especially  noticed  by  the  Brownes,  who  often 
sent  him  meals  from  the  cabin  table.  On  their  arrival  in  England,  Mr. 
Thompson,  having  letters  to  Lord  George  Germain,  then  at  the  head  of 
the  war  department,  whose  wife  was  an  American  lady,  and  a  supposed 
connection  of  Thompson,  was  taken  into  the  family  and  friendship  of  his 
lordship,  to  whom  he  was  much  indebted  for  his  rapid  elevation  and  sub- 
sequent success.  On  the  unexpected  appointment  of  Colonel  Browne  to 
the  government  of  the  Bermudas,  he  inquired  at  the  war  office  to  whom  he 
was  indebted  for  this  interest  in  his  behalf,  and  was  informed  that  it  was 
Mr.  Thompson. 


i78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  95 

15.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Mrs.  Vans  and 
Mrs.  Pynchon  set  out  for  Medford  and  Cambridge. 
Harry  Gardner  and  his  family  come  in  to-day  from  the 
West  Indies,  having  a  brief  of  his  admission  as  Burgher 
of  St.  Eustatius,  now  in  [the]  hands  of  the  English,  our 
enemies. 

17.  Thursday.  Cloudy  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Mrs.  Pynchon 
and  Mrs.  Vans  returned. 

18.  Friday.  Cloudy.  The  continental  currency,  old 
emission,  passeth  no  more  here. 

19.  Saturday.  Some  take  the  old  emission  on  pre- 
tence of  patriotism. 

20.  Sunday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Dr.  Woodbury,  who 
succoured  many  American  prisoners,  [and]  assisted  them 
in  escaping  at  Nova  Scotia  from  British  men-of-war,  is 
now  threatened  with  imprisonment  for  claiming  his 
property. 

22.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  The  Admiralty  Court  sits 
here.  Dr.  Woodbury  and  another  Nova  Scotian  are 
thrown  into  jail  as  prisoners  of  war,  after  going  about 
Salem  and  Boston  for  a  month  or  more  without  interrup- 
tion.    Shame  to  those  who  imprison  him. 

23.  Wednesday.  Cold  and  cloudy.  The  Maritime 
Court  ends.  Mr.  Lowell  and  Parsons  call  to  see  me. 
Dr.  Woodbury  is  let  out  of  jail  by  those  who  put  him 
in,  —  this  at  Mr.  Parsons'  desire  ;  the  Dr.  being  a  Son 
of  Liberty. 

24.  TJiursday.  Fair  and  cool.  Exchange  between 
old  emission  and  silver  is  at  150  for  one  ;  at  Boston  at 
120  to  140  for  one.  The  jurymen  in  the  Maritime  Court 
here  yesterday  refused  to  give  in  any  more  verdicts  to 
the  Court  without  an  assurance  that  they  shall  be  paid 
in  new  emission.  So  !  so  !  so  !  members  of  Congress, 
whither  is  your  credit  going  ?  Down  hill  surely  ;  but 
tb~y  will  bring  it  up  with  a  heavy  tax. 


96  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

26.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  but  less  cold  than  yesterday. 
It  is  said  that  Morris,  the  financier,  hath  reported  to 
Congress  in  favour  of  hard-money  currency. 

27.  Sunday.  Clear,  and  wind  S.  and  moderate.  Soh  ! 
soh  !  The  register,  Pickering,  says  he  is  not  at  liberty 
to  record  Mr.  Robie's1  mortgage  deeds  of  his  house  and 
land,  which  he  made  for  securing  his  creditors  in  Eng- 
land. Johnson  comes  in  and  says  that  Gibraltar  is  re- 
lieved by  the  English  fleet.  What  ailed  ye  Powers  and 
ye  Fleets  of  the  House  of  Bourbon  that  ye  have  been  so 
often  driven  back  by  the  English,  —  that  all  your  at- 
tempts against  Gibraltar  have  hitherto  failed  ? 

28.  Monday.  Fine,  clear,  and  warm  day.  Exchange 
is  now  at  3  for  one  between  hard  money  and  new  emis- 
sion, and  at  ...  .  for  one  between  hard  money  and 
old  emission. 

29.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  warm  day  ;  So.  W.  wind.  Trade 
in  Boston  in  great  confusion,  almost  stagnated ;  the 
credit  of  the  new  emission  sunk  30  per  ct.  upon  failure 
of  the  old  in  its  credit ;  all  growl ;  some  rave  and  stamp ; 
others  curse  and  swear,  some  at  Congress,  some  at  the 
General  Court,  some  at  Whiggs,  others  at  Tories,  —  all 
at  the  French.  The  moderate  Whiggs  express  their  joy 
that  Gibraltar  is  relieved  and  the  siege  raised  ;  they  who 
trouble  the  waters  first  have  seldom  the  benefit  of  fish- 
ing. 

30.  Wednesday.  Election  Day  ;  very  dark  and  cloudy  ; 
wind  S.  W.  No  public  dinner,  no  parade  ;  the  most 
miserable  procession  ever  seen. 

31.  Thursday.  Went  to  [Cambridge]  with  Patty  ;  saw 
the  library,  philosophical  rooms,  and  museum  ;  visited 
all  my  acquaintances  ;  dined  at  Mr.  Mason's.     It  is  said 

1  Mr.  Thomas  Robie,  who  married  Mehitable,  daughter  of  Major  Stephen 
Sewall. 


i78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  97 

that  the  new  house  is  in  looks  meaner  than  the  old  ;  if 
so,  mercy  on  us  ! 

yune  2.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  The 
marketmen  refuse  bills  of  the  old  emission  for  provisions  ; 
the  jurymen  refused  it  at  the  Maritime  Court,  here  in 
open  Court ;  the  Judge  declined  to  take  it :  and  yet  this 
is  our  established  currency,  established  by  law  !  O 
Congress  !  O  legislators  !  O  money-makers  all !  what 
ails  ye  ?  This  day  Sheriff  Chandler  took  Carlton  on  a 
warrant  from  the  Inferior  Court  against  him  for  a  riot  in 
breaking  windows,  etc.,  at  the  rejoicings  at  the  taking 
of  Burgoyne  ;  he  was  carried  to  the  town  house,  and  a 
justice  was  sent  for  to  bail  him,  but  he  departed,  and  left 
justice,  sheriff,  and  all  in  the  lurch;  threats  were  given 
out  at  the  jail  that  if  he  was  to  be  committed  the  jail 
would  not  stand  long.     Mark  the  end  ! 

5.  Tuesday.  Fine,  moderate  weather.  Mr.  Forbes 
spends  the  evening  with  me  ;  comes  from  Boston,  and 
says  Fort  Camden  is  taken  by  Gen'l  Greene. 

8.  Friday.  Rain  and  cold.  The  French  fleet  get  into 
Boston  and  other  ports. 

9.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  We  have  a  letter 
from  Jno.  at  Cambridge ;  his  chum  ill,  and  he  unwell. 
Mr.  Goodale  and  [Mr.]  Ward  from  the  G.  Court.  The 
Court  had  written  to  the  Congress  respecting  the  cur- 
rency, and  can  do  nothing  about  it  before  they  have  an 
answer.  A  few  weeks  ago,  who  even  held  paper  money 
not  to  be  as  good  as  silver  were  called  Tories,  enemies 
to  the  country. 

12.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Mrs.  Waldo  2  is 
buried ;  her  funeral  is  attended  by  a  great  number  of 
people  of  condition  and  others.     She  was  an  only  child, 

1  Mrs.  Mary  Waldo  was  the  first  wife  of  Major  Jonathan  Waldo,  and 
the  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  (Coffin)  Ropes. 
7 


98  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

and  they  lived  with  her  father  most  happily ;  she  was 
very  young,  [and]  had  lately  been  delivered  of  a  fine 
child,  and  at  the  time  when  nothing  seemed  wanting  to 
complete  the  happiness  of  this  little  family  she  was 
taken  from  them,  and  left  them  almost  distracted  with 
grief. 

14.  Thursday.  Capt.  H.  Williams  comes  home  from 
New  York.  Mr.  Winthrop  and  co.  come  from  New 
London ;  [they]  say  the  paper  currency  is  in  very  low 
credit  there.  Dr.  Woodbury  is  with  difficulty  allowed 
to  return  home  to  Annapolis  ;  his  treatment  here  hath 
nearly  converted  him  to  Toryism. 

15.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  John  comes 
from  college  with  Mr.  Bartlett  of  Plymouth.  In  the  N. 
York  papers  brought  by  H.  Williams,  it  seems  a  con- 
gress is  to  be  held  at  Vienna  for  examining  the  preten- 
sions of  France,  Spain,  and  England,  etc.,  for  making 
war  and  offering  terms  of  reconciliation  not  to  consider 
the  American  Independence  ;  and  the  papers  show  the 
progress  made  by  British  troops  at  Virginia.  England 
seems  determined  not  to  give  up  America. 

16.  Saturday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Mr.  Winthrop  and 
Mr.  Stewart  of  New  London,  Colo.  Sargent  and  family, 
here  p.  m. 

18.  Monday.  Rumours  that  through  the  influence  of 
the  congress  at  Vienna  matters  begin  to  wear  a  more 
peaceable  face.  Shepard  of  Amherst  here,  and  speaks 
of  Hale's  going  incog,  to  Penobscot  in  March  last,  and 
heard  of  an  intended  expedition  to  Casco  Bay. 

19.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  fair  morning.  Mr.  Wetmore 
and  I  set  out  for  Ipswich  ;  there  I  hear  that  Vermont 
hath  entered  into  a  contract  of  neutrality  with  Canada  ; 
that  D.  Jones  is  appointed  Ch.  Justice  of  the  State  of 
Vermont. 


1 78 1.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  99 

20.  Wednesday.  A  very  fair  day.  I  return  from  Ips- 
wich, having  done  the  very  little  business  I  had  to  do 
there  ;  I  entered  not  one  action  :  so  much  for  politicks  ! 
Wright  here. 

21.  Thursday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  By  the  papers,  Cam- 
den is  taken  and  the  army  in  Virginia  increasing,  and 
things  begin  to  look  more  favorable  for  America  at  the 
southward. 

23.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Cosset  of 
Claremont,  in  Vermont  [sic],  comes,  and  brings  letters 
to  Mr.  Dowse  from  Mr.  Parker,  and  an  account  that  Mr. 
Bass  will  probably  be  allowed  his  salary  from  the  so- 
ciety. Last  night  the  noted  John  Long  escaped  out  of 
Salem  jail,  and  two  prisoners  of  war  went  off  the  same 
night,  and  with  him,  as  supposed.  Long  is  he  who 
took  Gen'l  Wadsworth  and  carried  him  to  Penobscot ; 
it  is  said  that  soon  after  Long  was  taken,  ten  guineas 
were  sent  for  his  use  to  the  commissary  of  prisoners, 
and  a  letter  from  Capt.  Mowat  was  delivered  to  him  in 
jail. 

24.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate.  Gen'l  Farley 
from  Ipswich  to  seek  for  the  breakers  of  jail,  and  adver- 
tise the  brig.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  call  to  see  us. 

25.  Monday.  A  cool  morning,  but  clear.  Mr.  Win- 
throp  and  co.  return  from  Portsmouth.  Rumours  that 
Arnold  is  arrested  and  sent  to  New  York,  on  a  suspicion 
of  having  poisoned  or  otherwise  destroyed  G.  Philips. 

28.    Thursday.     Rain  and    cloudy  by  turns.      Spent 

the  evening  with  Colo.  Sargent's  family.  Mr.  Winthrop 

and  Stewart  at  Mr.  Wetmore's.  More  signs  of  peace 
by  the  papers. 

30.  Saturday.  Clear  and  warm.  Mr.  and  Miss  Win- 
throp and  Mr.  Stewart  here. 

yuly  1.     Sunday.    A  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Winthrop 


100  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

and  Stewart  and  co.  here.  The  General  Court  sit  all 
this  day,  as  we  hear,  upon  matters  of  great  importance, 
and  relating  to  congress  at  Vienna,  proceedings  as  to 
peace,  etc.  Last  evening  Mr.  Ford  was  buried  in  the 
churchyard.  Mr.  Barnard  prayed  at  his  house  and  at- 
tended at  the  funeral ;  the  bearers  were  all  dissenters, 
as  I  remember. 

2.  Monday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Spend  the  evening 
at  Mr.  Goodale's,  with  Mr.  Winthrop,  Stewart  and  co., 
and  Colo.  Sargent  and  co. 

6.  Friday.  A  warm  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  goes  to  Bos- 
ton.    Expectations  of  peace. 

8.  Sunday.  Very  hot  last  night ;  slept  all  hands  with 
windows  open,  my  honoured  self  on  the  floor.  Mr.  Hig- 
ginson  from  Boston  says  that  the  bills  of  the  new  emis- 
sion are  to  pass  in  payment  of  taxes  at  1 1  paper  for  one 
silver  dollar,  or  us.  $d.  paper  for  six  shillings  in  silver, 
and  that  the  old  emission  passeth  no  more,  not  even 
for  payment  of  taxes. 

io.  Tuesday.  Judge  Trowbridge  called  at  the  door, 
being  bound  to  Mr.  Derby's,  at  Beverly. 

14.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  warm  ;  wind  S.  W.  Mr. 
Wetmore  and  H.  Higginson  dine  with  me.  Rumours 
of  an  English  expedition  in  favour  of  the  Corsicans. 

16.  Monday.  Town  meeting  to  raise  more  men,  about 
ninety  in  all.  Rumour  that  Gen'l  Lee  of  Virginia  is  gone 
over  to  the  Regulars.  Church  meeting  adjourned  to 
September  17th. 

18.  Wednesday.     Commencement;  a  fine  day. 

19.  TJittrsday.  Rain  ;  gloomy  day  for  all  concerned 
in  Colo.  Doane's  ball. 

20.  Friday.  We  return  to  Salem  with  Mrs.  Mason, 
and  find  neighbour  Satchel  greatly  disturbed  about  his 
new  chaise,  which  he  lent  me,  Foster  not  having  procured 


I78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  101 

him  one  to  ride  with  in  my  absence  ;  neither  money  nor 
concessions  appease  his  piratical  ire.  From  purse-pride, 
good  Lord,  deliver  me,  —  and  my  prayer  is  answered. 

21.  Saturday.  Fair  day.  A  wine  prize  to  Grand 
Turk  comes  in  ;  paper  money,  new  emission,  goes  fast 
down  hill. 

22.  Sunday.     A  fine  day.     Mr.  Eliot  at  Mr.  Prince's 

meeting. 

24.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  The  market  people  will 
not  take  any  paper  money  for  provisions. 

25.  Wednesday.  Judge  Trowbridge,  Mr.  Parsons,  and 
Mrs.  Parsons  dine  with  me  and  Mrs.  Mason. 

26.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  son, 
Mrs.  Mason  and  self,  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  son  John,  dine 
at  Mr.  Orne's,  Danvers. 

27.  Friday.  A  very  fine,  cool  day.  Dine  at  Mr. 
Greenwood's  with  Mrs.  Mason,  and  go  up  to  see  Mr. 
Derby  and  Judge  Trowbridge. 

28.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Last  evening  wrote  to 
Mr.  Walter,  New  York,  in  favor  of  Mr.  White  and  Mrs. 
Fairfield's  son,  prisoners  there.  Dine  at  Dr.  Putnam's 
with  Judge  Trowbridge,  Mr.  Nutting,  and  Dr.  Holyoke. 

29.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  Go  with  Mrs.  Mason  to 
Mr.  Barnard's  meeting  all  day. 

30.  Monday.  Cloudy  in  the  morning;  clears  away 
and  very  hot  before  noon.  I  go  with  Mrs.  Mason  to 
Cambridge  with  Mr.  Goodale's  horse  and  chaise. 

31.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  morning.  I  return  by  half  past 
eight  o'clock  from  Maiden,  and  breakfast  at  Salem. 
Continental  bills,  whither  is  your  credit  flown?  And 
where  the  credit  of  your  makers  and  creators  ?  "  Oh  !  " 
says  Dr.  C,  "  they  have  answered  well  the  purposes  of 
their  creation :  they  have  supported  the  army  for  some 
years,  and  it  is  time  for  them  to  rest,  being  of  no  more 


102  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

service."  0  pious  doctor,  rare  Dr.  C. !  when  fraud  and 
deceit  can  no  longer  prevail,  let  them  be  laid  aside  as 
useless. 

August  i.  Wednesday.  Judge  Trowbridge  dines  in 
town  at  Mr.  Derby's. 

2.  Thursday.  Fair.  Mr.  Gannet  and  Mrs.  Gannet 
come  p.  m. 

3.  Friday.  Trowbridge  Ellery  1  comes,  and  dines  at 
Mr.  Derby's.  Mr.  Gannet  and  co.  drink  tea  at  Dr.  Put- 
nam's and  sup  at  Mr.  Oliver's  ;  dine  with  me. 

4.  Saturday.  We  dine  at  home ;  Mr.  Gannet  at  Mr. 
Prince's. 

5.  Sunday.  Mr.  Gannet  and  co.  dine  at  Dr.  Putnam's  ; 
at  night  sup  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

6.  Monday.  Clear  and  very  warm.  Mr.  Gannet  and 
Mr.  Barnard  go  to  Beverly  and  spend  the  day  ;  Mrs. 
Gannet  with  us. 

7.  Tuesday.  Warm.  I  go  with  Mrs.  Gannet,  Mrs. 
Pynchon,  and  son  John  to  Marblehead,  and  have  tea  at 
Brother  Sewall's. 

8.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  warm.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gannet  set  out  for  Cambridge  late,  and  at  noon  the 
weather  is  very  hot ;  at  evening,  aurora  borealis. 

9.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  morning ;  very  warm  at 
noon.  Dine  at  the  Fort  on  turtle,  —  about  four  per- 
sons ;  Professor  Williams,  Mr.  Barnard,  Mr.  Hopkins, 
and  Dr.  Whitaker,  the  latter  by  far  the  strongest  man ; 
he  seized  Esquire  Blaney  and  took  him  up  on  his  shoul- 
ders and  laid  him  flat  on  his  back  in  a  masterly  manner, 
to  the  entertainment  of  his  parishioners.  "  Aye,"  says 
T.  Mason,  "  the  doctor  is  fit  for  anything ;  he  would 
have  made  as  stout  a  sailor  as  any  in  the  town  of  Salem  ; 

1  Edmund  Trowbridge  Ellery  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  William  Ellery, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 


1 78 1.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  10  3 

he  is  a  smart  man,  and  fit  for  any  business  ;  he  made  as 
good  an  agent  for  the  privateers  as  ever  was."  At  about 
five  o'clock  we  sit  down  to  dinner. 

10.  Friday.    A  fine,  cool  morning.     I  returned  to  Mr. 
Oliver  the  dollar  which  I  borrowed  of  him  at  the  Fort. 

12.  Sunday.     Fair  and  warm.     Mrs.   Orne   and    her 
maid  Landor  come. 

13.  Monday.  Fair  and  cool.  News  that  Mrs.  Fair- 
field's son  died  in  the  prison  ship  at  New  York.  Three 
more  privateers  are  taken  and  carried  to  Halifax.  Mrs. 
Cabot  makes  her  will  ;  in  it  gives  Titus,  her  negro,  ^40 
and  his  freedom  in  case  he  shall  continue  in  her  service 
henceforth  till  her  death.  Titus  cares  not,  as  he  gets 
money  apace,  being  one  of  the  agents  for  some  of  the 
privateersmen,  and  wears  cloth  shoes,  ruffled  shirts,  silk 
breeches  and  stockings,  and  dances  minuets  at  Com- 
mencement ;  it  is  said  he  has  made  more  profits  as  agent 
than  Mr.  Ansil  Alcock  or  Dr.  Whitaker  by  their  agen- 
cies.    A  plentiful  rain  last  night. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Greenwood  dines 
here.  Mrs.  Frye  calls  after  dinner,  and  diverts  us  on 
the  new  law  of  Congress  that  the  wives  of  Tories  might 
marry  within  a  year  after  their  husbands  left  them,  and 
she  determines  to  wait  but  one  year  longer  for  the  Colo., 
and  sends  word  to  R.  W.  that  she  is  sorry  he  is  sick. 

16.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  See  Salem  papers 
of  Monday  last,  in  which  our  paper  money-makers  are 
aspersed  for  their  frauds,  deceipts,  meanness,  and  many 
of  their  tricks,  by  which  honest  people  have  been  de- 
frauded. 

17.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Prizes  daily  come  in  : 
Dr.  Whitaker  agent  for  one  of  them  ;  Titus  Cabot  for 
another,  as  we  hear. 

18.  Saturday.  Mr.  Baldwin  called  here  with  Mrs. 
Eliot. 


104  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

19.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  a  little  rain.  Mrs.  Orne 
and  little  Kate  come,  and  return  at  night  with  Mrs. 
Brewer.  Mr.  Lowell  here.  [It]  rains  plentifully  in  the 
night. 

20.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  Judge  Trow- 
bridge here.     More  rumours  as  to  the  Fame. 

21.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning.  Mrs.  Dana  spends  the 
day  here.  Mrs.  Gridley  here,  being  brought  in  by  one  of 
our  privateers  to  the  eastward. 

22.  Wednesday.  Cloudy ;  S.  E.  wind.  More  rumours 
as  to  the  Fame. 

23.  Thursday.  N.  E.  wind.  Buffinton  writes  to  his 
wife  that  some  people  in  the  Roads  tell  him  that  they 
saw  my  son  and  others. 

25.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Mr.  Gridley  and 
Mr.  Goodale  here.  News  of  Mr.  Browne  at  Virginia  by 
Colo.  Griffin. 

27.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Miss  Dana  here, 
and  I  send  money  by  her  to  John  at  Cambridge. 

28.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  Mrs.  Marston  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Greenwood  here  ;  also  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prince  in 
the  evening. 

29.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  day.  News  that  Capt. 
Carnes  in  the  Porus,  and  Dr.  Anderson  in  the  Essex, 
are  taken. 

September  I.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  At 
.  .  .  o'clock  was  seen  from  the  steeple  a  severe  engage- 
ment between  an  English  gunship  and  a  French  frigate 
of  [32]  guns  off  Marblehead.  It  lasted  .  .  .  hours  ;  the 
French  [vessel]  was  torn  to  pieces.1 

1  This  was  an  action  off  Boston  harbor  between  an  English  frigate  of 
44  guns,  said  to  be  the  Assurance  from  Halifax,  and  the  French  frigate, 
Magicienne,  of  32  guns,  coming  round  from  Piscataqua.  The  Magicienne 
was,  after  a  short  conflict,  finally  obliged  to  strike.  See  Continental  Jour- 
nal of  September  6,  1781. 


I78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  105 

3.  Monday.  I  send  by  Dr.  Rice,  to  the  care  of  Mr. 
Barnard  of  Cape  Pursue,  a  letter  from  Mrs.  P.  to  Mrs. 
Cotnam,  enclosing  one  to  Mr.  Robie,  and  his  enclosing 
one  to  Win.  Cabot,  London.  Colo.  Griffin  comes  to 
Salem,  and  goes  out  of  town  p.  m.  I  carry  Mrs.  Pynchon 
to  Marblehead. 

4.  Tuesday.  A  very  warm  day.  Went  with  Mrs. 
Mason  to  Marblehead  in  Mrs.  Orne's  chaise. 

6.  Thursday.  A  very  fine  day.  Patty  and  Mrs.  Ma- 
son go  out  to  Miss  Diamond's. 

7.  Friday.  Cloudy.  I  went  to  Marblehead  for  Mrs. 
Pynchon,  and  brought  her  home. 

8.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Jno.  Williams 
and  wife  and  son  come  to  Salem  ;  he  with  us  on  Sunday. 

9.  Sttnday.  News  that  H.  Derby's  ...  is  taken  and 
carried  to  Penobscot. 

10.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mrs.  Browne  of  Wen- 
ham  dies. 

11.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  at  night.  Mr.  Parker 
and  Stephen  Greenleaf  come  to  town. 

12.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Parker,  Greenleaf,  and 
Dowse  at  tea  at  my  house. 

13.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  F.  Cabot  tells  us  of  the 
horrid  destruction  and  massacre  at  New  London  by  Ar- 
nold and  co.  ;  the  commander  of  the  Fort  was  stabbed 
upon  resigning  his  sword,  and  nearly  all  the  garrison  put 
to  the  sword.     Query. 

14.  Friday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Town  meeting  here, 
and  committee  chose  to  prepare  matters  for  defence  of 
the  town  against  Arnold  and  crew,  who  burnt  [the]  N. 
London  privateers,  and  are  said  to  be  inveterate  against 
Salem  and  Beverly  rovers  and  plunderers  ;  a  handbill 
comes  from  Boston  giving  an  account. 

15.  Saturday.     A  fine,  warm    morning.     The   town 


106  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

seems  almost  distracted  with  joy  at  the  news  in  the 
handbill.  God  bless  Gen'l  Greene,  the  Baron  and  Mar- 
quis, and  all  our  generous  allies,  is  the  word,  and  damn 
the  Britons  ;  Charleston  is  to  be  in  our  hands  in  a  few 
weeks  !  The  British  fleet  is  beat  all  to  pieces,  and 
returned  to  New  York. 

16.  Sunday.  A  fine  day;  very  warm.  Rumour  that 
Mr.  Stewart  of  N.  London  is  killed  ;  false. 

17.  Monday.  Cool  and  S.  wind.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cutts 
in  town.  Rumours  of  two  spy  boats  taken  off  Marble- 
head  prove  false. 

19.  Wednesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  The  return  of 
the  British  fleet  to  N.  York  is  doubted. 

20.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  Rumours  of 
the  engagement  of  the  fleets  confirmed  ;  in  the  after- 
noon contradicted. 

22.  Saturday.  A  cold  day.  Went  to  Cambridge  with 
Miss  Mason,  [with]  Stevens'  horse  and  Daland's  chaise. 

23.  Sunday.  Pleasant  and  warm.  Returned  from 
Cambridge.     Mr.  Lowell  in  town. 

25.  Tuesday.  Very  warm.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  I  set 
out  for  Newbury  Court ;  dine  at  Beverly  ;  get  to  our 
lodgings  at  Mrs.  Leather's  at  8  o'clock. 

26.  Wednesday.  The  Court  (newly  vamped  and  sworn) 
proceed  to  business  ;  the  Ch.  Justice  magnifies  his  office, 
feels  his  importance,  and  grows  severe. 

27.  Thursday.  Clear,  fine  weather.  Dr.  Shepard's 
trial  with  Wayland  on  a  charge  of  being  put.  father  of 
her  b.  child  comes  on  ;  every  possible  art  used  for  ac- 
quitting him,  but  the  truth  at  length  prevailed,  and  he 
was  convicted,  and  ordered  to  pay  5  shillings  a  week.  He 
threatens  a  certioi'ari,  and  fumes  and  smokes,  all  to  little 
purpose.     Hceret  lateri,  etc. 

29.  Saturday.     All  is   confusion   and    hubbub  about 


i78i.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  107 

dismissing  the  Jury  and  adjourning  the  Court,  not  one 
of  the  new  entries  being  called  yet.  Mr.  Hooper's  is 
No.  1,  and  issue  joined  in  it,  and  he  insists  that  it  be 
called  (being  on  a  plain  note  of  hand),  although  the  con- 
tinues not  finished,  because,  as  the  Court  must  go 
against  law  in  dismissing  the  Jury  without  trial  of  his, 
they  ought  to  pass  over  the  continued  actions  for  his, 
being  of  importance  :  sed  non  allocat.  Up  starts  Mr. 
Hooper  and  leaves,  the  Court ;  so  do  Wetmore  and  I, 
being  debarred  of  our  clients'  rights.     Whieu  !  ! 

30.  Sunday.  We  came  this  morning  from  Ipswich  ; 
a  fine  day,  though  somewhat  cloudy  and  wet  at  setting 
out.  Various  are  the  rumours  concerning  the  English 
and  French  fleets  at  the  southward,  and  of  their  en- 
gagements, and  of  the  return  of  part  of  the  English  fleet 
into  N.  York,  all  tattered  and  torn  ;  others  say  that  there 
was  an  engagement,  but  both  sides  were  mauled  much 
and  parted,  but  continued  in  sight  of  each  other  without 
offering  to  engage  again. 

October  1.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  More 
rumours  as  to  the  battle  of  the  ships. 

2.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Wetmore  carried  Mrs.  Pynchon  to 
Boston  around  by  Cambridge. 

3.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Parsons  here.  Mr.  Cabot  from 
Boston  says  Mrs.  Goodale  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  are  at  Mr. 
Higginson's,  in  good  spirits. 

4.  Thursday.  A  cool  morning.  Mr.  Parsons  break- 
fasts with  us.  At  night  we  hear  from  Boston  ;  Mrs. 
Pynchon  and  Salem  people  there,  all  well.  A  very  cold 
night. 

5.  Friday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Esquire  Batchelor  and 
Butler  here  about  the  affairs  of  N.  Fairfield.  Last  night 
Judge  Lynde  dies,  81  years  of  age.  I  spend  the  even- 
ing with  Judge  Oliver,  he  being  alone  ;  on  my  return  I 


108  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

find   Mrs.    Pynchon  and  Mr.    Wetmore   returned  from 
Boston. 

6.  Saturday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  I 
drink  tea  at  Mrs.  Lynde's.  At  night  a  billet  is  prepared 
for  requesting  Judge  Trowbridge's  attendance  as  a  bearer 
to  Judge  Lynde,  to  be  forwarded  on  Sunday  morning  to 
Cambridge  by  Primus. 

7.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  and  wind  N.  E.  At  Mr.  Cabot's 
in  the  evening. 

8.  Monday.  A  clear  morning,  and  cool.  About  10 
A.  m.  Mr.  Barnard  and  I  set  out  in  his  chaise  for  Wo- 
burn,  where  we  dined  about  4  p.  m.,  and  returned  to  Mr. 
Haven's  at  evening  ;  lodged  and  were  most  agreeably 
entertained  there,  and  returned  on  Tuesday  noon.  See 
N.  Coffin's  jolly  letter  in  Boston  paper. 

9.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Judge  Lynde's  funeral 
was  at  5  o'clock,  p.  m.  Bearers,  Mr.  Hooper,  Mr.  Nut- 
ting, Mr.  Dowst,  Dr.  Turner,  Mr.  Cabot,  and  Dr.  Put- 
nam ;  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  I,  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Patty,  next 
the  children  of  Mr.  Oliver ;  Mr.  Russell  and  Mrs.  Cur- 
wen  in  the  procession  next  Mr.  Wetmore. 

10.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rus- 
sell go  out  of  town. 

13.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  at  night.  Jno.  and 
Bartlett  come  from  college,  and  dine  with  us,  and  return 
in  the  afternoon,  and  are  caught  in  the  rain.  J.  Hig- 
ginson  and  wife  come  to  Salem  at  night ;  John  Williams 
also,  and  tells  us  that  he  was  not  called  on  his  bonds  at 
Springfield. 

14.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  tho'  windy.  J.  Wil- 
liams and  wife  here. 

15.  Monday.    Fair  day.    Mr.  Sears  here  from  Boston. 

16.  Tuesday.  Mrs.  Pynchon  not  well,  and  keeps  her 
chamber. 


1 78 1.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  109 

19.  Friday.  Mowat's  brig  Swift  brought  in  60  per- 
sons. 

20.  Saturday.  Cloudy  ;  thunder  and  rain  in  the  night. 
English  fleet  gone  from  New  York. 

23.  Tuesday.  Cool  and  clear.  Lord  Cornwallis  in 
trib[ulation]  ;  130  heavy  cannon  are  playing  upon  his 
encampment,  some  of  his  redoubts  taken,  and  the  insur- 
ance offices  have  waged  that  he  and  his  army  were  taken 
the  4th  instant ;  others,  that  they  will  surrender  this 
month ;  others,  that  it  will  be  early  in  next  month ; 
a  few,  that  he  will  get  clear,  —  some  say  by  his  own, 
others,  by  the  help  of  the  English  fleet  and  troops  gone 
from  New  York.     p.  m.,  set  out  for  Boston. 

24.  Wednesday.  Fair  day  at  Boston.  Luckily  meet 
brother  Stephen  Sewall,  a  punctual,  honest,  humane, 
benevolent,  good  soul,  and  he  performs  all  in  his  power 
for  the  relief  of  his  friends  in  tribulation. 

25.  Thursday.  I  set  out  from  Boston  for  Salem 
(Winnisimet  way).  News  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his 
whole  army's  surrender,  amounting,  with  sailors  and  all, 
to  9000  men,  several  frigates,  and  100  transports,  etc., 
etc ;  a  handbill  comes  signed  by  Na.  Goodale. 

26.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  Cannon,  small 
arms,  mortars,  bells,  and  all  kind  of  arms,  sounds,  re- 
ports, clamours,  noises,  and  rumours  through  the  town 
make  the  diversions  and  employments  of  this  day  ;  the 
surrender  was  on  the  20th  instant. 

28.  Sunday.  Cold  N.  E.  wind,  but  clear.  Widow 
Cabot 1  buried  here. 

29.  Monday.  Wet  day,  and  cold.  Expresses  come, 
and  no  confirmation  of  Cornwallis'  surrender ;  some 
begin  to  doubt  of  the  matter. 

1  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Cabot,  nee  Higginson,  relict  of  Joseph  Cabot  of  Bev- 
erly. 


110        DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [November, 

31.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Handbill 
comes  of  Greene's  victory  near  Charleston.  Havock, 
havock  !  Parson  Fisher  comes  to  town  in  the  evening, 
on  his  way  from  Portsmouth  to  Boston,  under  guard  ;  he, 
with  3  other  gentlemen  as  prisoners  of  war,  carried  into 
Portsmouth,  where  they  were  coarsely  treated  ;  he  not 
allowed  to  preach  or  baptize,  nor  to  dine  abroad  upon 
an  invitation  of  his  friends.  Mr.  Fisher  went  and  settled 
in  Nova  Scotia  in  a  school  before  1775,  and,  being  a 
friend  to  the  American  cause,  could  not  continue  there 
in  peace,  [and]  comes  up  to  reside  in  this  State,  the 
place  of  his  nativity,  and  to  settle  here. 

November  1.  Thursday.  Mr.  Fisher  and  Williams  set 
out  for  Boston. 

2.  Friday.  Zech.  Foot  calls  on  me,  with  Mr.  Fisher's 
desire  to  acquaint  me  that  he  is  not  allowed  his  parole, 
but  is  to  be  sent  to  the  Island  with  other  prisoners. 
Windy  and  cloudy  ;  rains  at  night. 

3.  Saturday.  Very  stormy,  rain,  and  N.  E.  wind. 
Yesterday  the  Gen'l  Court  adjourned  to  January. 

4.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  N.  E.  wind.  Capt.  Hara- 
den  and  Jona.  Gardner,  Jr.,  come  home  from  England 
through  France,  thence  to  Chesapeake,  and  thence  to 
Salem. 

6.  Tuesday.  Cold  and  cloudy,  N.  E.  wind.  Supreme 
Court  at  Salem. 

7.  Wednesday.  See  the  newspapers  for  Adams'  letter 
to  Cushing  1  to  encourage  whipping,  hanging,  etc.,  for 
Tories. 

9.  Friday.  Windy  and  very  cold.  At  night  Mr. 
Sewall,  Sullivan,  Paine,  Lowell,  and  Wetmore. 

1  This  letter  is  addressed  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Cushing,  and  is  dated 
Amsterdam,  December  15,  1780  ;  its  authenticity  seems  to  have  been 
doubted.     It  is  quoted  in  the  Continental  Journal  of  November  8,  1781. 


1781.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  Ill 

11.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Mr.  Bromfield  at  Mr. 
Cabot's,  and  Mrs.  Bromfield. 

12.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  See  Mr.  Ad- 
ams' letter  for  hanging  his  brother  if  a  Tory  ;  but  the 
letter  is  denied. 

13.  Tuesday.  A  cloudy,  cool  morning.  Money  is  so 
scarce  that  I  can't  get  enough  for  cyder  and  wood. 

14.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Dr.  Holyoke  and 
Mrs.  Holyoke  and  co.  here  in  the  evening.  Blyth  and 
Williams'  fireworks  —  thirteen  rockets  prepared  for  the 
13  States;  5  of  them  rose  about  8  feet,  4  only  a  tolerable 
height,  and  4  only  so-so,  and  2  bad. 

1 7.  Saturday.  Mr.  Dowst  from  Boston  gives  an  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Fisher's  confinement  at  N[oddle's]  Island, 
as  prisoner,  being  sent  there  to  pasture,  as  the  Attor- 
ney-General/tf/zV*?/*/  says. 

18.  Sunday.  Cloudy  a.  m.  ;  clears  up  at  night.  The 
English  fleet  and  troops  are  said  to  have  returned 
again  to  N.  York  without  either  engagement  or  disaster. 
Britons  !  Britons  !  who  now  are  masters  of  the  ocean  ? 
Negatively,  not  Britons  ;  are  ye  not  afraid  even  of  Paul 
Jones  ? 

19.  Monday.  Warm  morning.  Drs.  P.  and  Holyoke 
only  at  Clubb,  at  my  house. 

20.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Walter's  answer  to  my  letter  as  to 
Capt.  White's  son  and  other  prisoners ;  Fairfield,  etc., 
dead  [sic],  N.  York  guardship. 

23.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  and  cool.  Mr.  Butler 
from  Boston  with  a  letter  from  Mr.  Fisher  at  Noddle's 
Island. 

24.  Saturday.  Cool  and  clear.  By  Mr.  Wetmore  I 
find  that  the  Church  Committee,  B.  and  A.,  have  bustled 
about  at  Boston  among  the  great,  without  magnifying 
themselves  or  benefitting  Mr.  F.  ;  they  have  made  a  fuss 


112  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

and  noise,  and  have  paid  for  it ;  they  have  spent  about 
ioo  dollars,  and  Mr.  F.  is  parolled  to  D.,  but  can't 
preach  ;  they  have  spent  the  proprietors'  money,  raised 
to  pay  the  proprietors'  debts. 

30.  Friday.     Clark  Gayton  Pickman  died.1 
December  4.     Tuesday,  p.  M.     C.   Gayton   Pickman's 
funeral  attended  by  all  of  station  in  town. 

8.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Ri.  Derby,  Jr.,  Esq.,2 
dies  to-day  about  3  o'clock,  another  sacrifice  to  the  ma- 
levolence of  the  times !  God  preserve  us  all  from  the 
effects  of  future  malevolence  !  Rumours  that  R.  T. 
Paine  means  to  succeed  C.  J.  Cushing,  who,  it  is  said, 
cannot  continue  much  longer  in  health  sufficient  for  the 
duties  of  C.  Justice. 

12.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  some  wet.  Mr.  Bartlett 
comes  at  evening  and  tarries. 

13.  Thitrsday.  Capt.  Derby's  funeral.  Mr.  Sewall 
marries  Miss  Devereux.3 

15.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  ; 
Mercy  Beadle  comes  and  goes. 

16.  Sunday.  John  sets  out  with  Eben.  Putnam  in  his 
father's  carriage  for  Cambridge.  Mr.  Sewall  and  bride 
appear  at  meeting. 

17.  Monday.  Fine,  cool,  clear  morning.  Dr.  Lloyd 
here. 

19.    Wednesday.     S.  O.  delivered  of  a  daughter.4 

1  Clark  Gayton  Pickman  was  the  son  of  the  fourth  Benjamin  Pickman, 
who  married  Love  Rawlins  ;  he  married  Sarah,  a  sister  of  Timothy  Orne. 
Rebecca,  another  sister  of  Mr.  Orne,  married  Joseph  Cabot. 

2  Captain  Richard  Derby  was  a  son  of  Richard,  and  brother  of  the  first 
Elias  Haskett  Derby  ;  he  was  born  in  1736. 

3  Samuel  Sewall,  born  December  11,  1757,  was  the  great-grandson  ot 
Chief  Justice  Samuel  Sewall.  He  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Marblehead 
in  1781,  and  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Dr.  Humphrey  Devereux.  He 
was  made  Chief  Justice  in  18 13,  the  third  chief  justice  of  the  name. 

4  Mary  Lynde  Fitch  Oliver.  She  married  Joseph,  afterwards  Mr.  Justice 
Story,  and  died  without  issue  22d  June,  1805. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 13 

22.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Greenwood  and 
Dr.  Putnam  with  me  in  the  evening ;  also  Mr.  Wetmore. 

23.  Sunday.  Cold.  Butler  and  Atkins  make  report 
at  church  of  their  engaging  Mr.  Fisher  for  our  preacher. 

25.  Tuesday.  Christmas  Day.  In  evening  Dr.  Hol- 
yoke  here. 

28.  Friday.  Rain  and  N.  E.  wind.  By  Mr.  Jones  of 
Boston  I  receive  a  letter  from  Mr.  Curwen  of  31st  of 
August,  shewing  great  concern  for  the  affairs  of  Amer- 
ica and  her  doubtful  fate.  Brother  Porter's  1  letter  from 
London  of  August  8th  to  Bro.  Blaney  diverts  us ;  two 
long  pages,  folio,  and  two  ideas,  —  at  least  more  than 
one  ;  the  exordium,  or  preface,  is  rhetorical,  the  con- 
clusion sympathetic  toward  the  widow  Dabney.  Ah  ! 
Brother  P.  begins  to  think  of  the  widows. 

31.  Monday.  Clouds  and  snow  ;  very  well  now  for 
some  sledding.  This  day  I  venture  out,  having  been 
confined  to  my  room  from  the  19th  instant. 

1782.  January  2.  Wednesday.  A  beautiful  day. 
A  greater  quantity  of  wood  than  usual  brought  in. 

3.  Thursday.  Small  rain  carries  off*  the  snow,  but 
wood  comes  down  to  4  dollars  a  cord. 

4.  Friday.  Cloudy,  wind  S.  E.,  sloppy  ways.  Search 
in  vain  for  Sawyer's  bond  given  Mr.  Cabot  by  him  and 
A.  Putnam,  and  left  with  me. 

5.  Saturday.  J.  M.  Sewall  at  Mr.  Goodale's  in  the 
evening. 

6.  Sunday.  Fine  day.  Mitchell  at  Mr.  Wetmore's 
at  tea. 

8.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  Mr.  Goodale  comes 
in  with  A.  Putnam's  bond,  which  he  found  among  those 
he  took  of  me,  one  of  them  being  the  same  Putnam's. 

1  Jabez  Porter,  a  classmate  of  Mr.  Pynchon,  who  died  in  1792. 
8 


114  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

Billy  Wetmore  grows  better  and  comes  below.     More 
squibs  in  the  papers  at  the  Justices  emitted. 

9.  Wednesday.  Fair  and  cold.  S.  Sewall  and  ux. 
and  Mitchell  come  from  Marblehead  and  dine  with  us. 
We  spend  a  very  merry  evening  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with 
Mr.  Prince,  and  have  musick  and  diversions  the  whole 
of  the  evening.  Sam'l  Sewall  was  there  also  before  9. 
Stephen  and  ux.  go  home  to  Marblehead. 

10.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  The  evening  at 
Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mr.  Barnard  and  Haven  and  Mr. 
Sewall  ;  all  grave  ;  church  meeting. 

11.  14.  Monday.  Clear  and  fair.  Town  meeting  for 
instructing  Congress  as  to  the  fisheries.  Colo,  ill  treated 
at  meeting,  and  left  it. 

17.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Parsons  here 
from  Cambridge  ;  he  says  that  the  government  is  deter- 
mined to  effectually  support  the  new  President,  and  to 
see  that  the  dignity  of  the  president's  office  be  kept  up 
against  all  opposition. 

18.  Friday.  Cool,  but  wind  S.  W.  Dine  at  Mr. 
Goodale's  with  Colo.  Sargent,  Blaney,  Dr.  Holyoke,  Wet- 
more. 

21.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Bartlett  comes 
from  college. 

22.  Tuesday.  Snow.  Dined  at  Mr.  Cabot's.  Bart- 
lett returns  to  Cambridge. 

23.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cold,  and  snow  p.  m.  ; 
N.  E.  storm. 

24.  Thursday.  The  storm  continues  ;  the  snow  deep, 
and  much  drifted. 

25.  Friday.  Cloudy,  cold,  and  more  snow  seems  at 
hand.  Mr.  Lee1  of  Concord,  Jack's  classmate,  lodges 
here. 

1  Silas  Lee,  afterwards  member  of  Congress. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  11$ 

26.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Goodale  comes 
from  Boston ;  Mr.  Fisher  soon  to  be  liberated,  as  it  is 
said. 

29.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  clear.  The  church  vote  to 
offer  Mr.  Fisher  ^150  a  year  to  be  their  minister,  un- 
seen, and  not  yet  heard ;  and  desire  the  Church  wardens 
and  vestry  to  sign  a  letter  prepared  for  engaging  the 
sum,  and  such  further  sums  as  they  should  be  able.  Mr. 
N.  Barrett  and  Mr.  Lafitte  spend  the  evening  here,  and 
tell  us  of  Mr.  Platts's  being  in  town. 

31.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Blaney,  Dr.  Put- 
nam, and  Mr.  Oliver  spend  the  evening  with  me ;  all 
very  cheerful.  At  12  Mr.  Platts  of  Hartford  and  Mr. 
Barrett  of  Boston  call  to  see  me,  and  Mr.  Platts  agrees 
to  bring  Mrs.  Platts  next  week  to  see  us,  from  Boston, 
in  case  his  business  and  the  weather  shall  permit. 

February  2.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  some  snow.  [The] 
Church  Committee  return  without  Mr.  Fisher. 

4.  Monday.  Clear  and  moderate  ;  very  fine  sledding. 
Taxes,  taxes  ! ! 

5.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  moderate  day  ;  thaws.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Platts  and  my  family  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's,  and 
spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Wetmore's.  Mrs.  Hathorn 
and  co.  go  to  Lynn  to  bring  home  the  minister,  Mr. 
Fisher. 

6.  Wednesday.  S.  W.  wind.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Platts 
set  out  for  Boston. 

7.  Thursday.  Cloudy  ;  N.  E.  wind.  No  Mr.  Fisher 
yet.     Mrs.  Hathorn  and  co.  return.     Clears  up  pleasant. 

8.  Friday.  Cloudy  again,  and  wind  N.  E.  Mr.  Jones 
(who  went  with  poor  B.  in  the  Fame)  spent  the  after- 
noon and  evening  with  us,  and  gave  us  a  particular  ac- 
count of  their  voyage  to  Amsterdam,  and  of  the  transac- 
tions and  reception  there ;  also  of  the  Americans  he  saw 


Il6  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

in  London,  and  of  their  great  anxiety  about  returning  to 
America. 

12.  Tuesday.  Early  this  morning  the  wind  at  N.  W.  ; 
was  very  high  and  blew  violently,  and  it  was  extremely 
cold.     Mr.  Wetmore  sets  out  for  Boston. 

14.  Thursday.  Pleasant  and  clear.  Mr.  Fisher  and 
Mr.  Dowst  dine  at  my  house  ;  more  church  affairs. 

15.  Friday.  Cloudy,  but  pleasant.  Mr.  Fisher,  Oli- 
ver, and  myself  dine  to-day  at  Mr.  Dowst's  elegantly. 
Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston. 

16.  Sattirday.  Moderate  weather  and  thaws.  Mr. 
Fisher  and  Butler  set  out  for  Portsmouth. 

24.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Fisher  for  the  first 
time  preacheth  at  church  [and]  gives  great  satisfaction. 
Mrs.  H.'s  family  are  in  raptures  ;  Mr.  Orne  goes  to 
church  all  day. 

25.  Monday.  Cold  and  clear.  Proprietors  of  the 
church  adjourn  to  my  house,  and  conclude  on  ways  and 
means  as  to  Mr.  Fisher's  settlement. 

26.  Tuesday.  Clear  day  and  cold.  Mr.  Barrett  and 
co.  and  Dr.  Loring  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

27.  Wednesday.  Evening  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Dr. 
Loring,  etc. 

28.  Thursday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrett  and  Dr.  Loring 
here,  and  Mr.  Lafitte  and  Miss  Sanders. 

March  2.  Saturday.  Fair  day.  The  proprietors' 
committee  present  Mr.  Fisher  with  proceedings  of  the 
church  in  the  choice  of  him  for  minister.  . 

3.  Sunday.  Sacrament  at  church  ;  the  audience  be- 
fore and  after  noon  pretty  full ;  contributions  for  Mr. 
F.,  unmarked  money  54/;  last  Sunday  about  68/.  Judge 
Sullivan  resigns  for  want  of  support. 

4.  Monday.  Fair  and  moderate.  Mr.  Hooper  here, 
roaring  about  the  Court's  neglect  of  his  cause.     Clubb 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 17 

at  Colo.  Sargent's  in  the  evening ;  Mr.  N.  Barrett  there. 
Andrew  Putnam  taken  up  for  deceipt  and  cheating  of 
his  neighbour  and  brother  physician,  Endicot.  Sulli- 
van and  Lowell  are  chosen.1 

5.  Tuesday.  Fair  morning  and  moderate.  Hunt,  Mr. 
Barrett,  and  Mrs.  Loring  come  from  Boston  ;  we  all  sup 
at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

6.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  At  evening  Mr. 
Barrett,  Mrs.  Barrett,  Mrs.  Loring,  Goodale,  and  Mr. 
Osgood  spend  the  evening  here. 

8.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  In  the  evening  at 
Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mr.  Barrett  and  co. 

9.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  Old  Capt.  Derby  complains 
of  his  taxes;  has  100  dollars  abatement.  A  comfort- 
able letter  from  Bro.  Stephen. 

10.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cool  ;  N.  W.  wind.  Mr. 
Prince  preacheth  at  Marblehead. 

12.   Tuesday.     Mr.  Barrett  goes  to  sea. 

14.  Thursday.  A  fine,  moderate  morning.  Mr.  Derby 
goes  to  sea. 

15.  Friday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  This  week  Mr.  B. 
asks  Mr.  F.  to  dine.  It  being  wet,  Mr.  F.,  having  set  out 
to  go,  returns,  and  sends  word,  but  not  a  card,  and  Salem 
is  in  an  uproar. 

16.  Saturday.  Cloudy  ;  S.  E.  wind.  Litigatio  civilis 
minds  one  of  the  times  of  peace. 

19.  Tuesday.  Clear  ;  N.  W.  wind.  The  last  of  arrest- 
ing for  April  Court. 

20.  Wednesday.  A  fair  and  cool,  windy  morning.  I 
spent  last  evening  at  Dr.  Holyoke's,  with  Mr.  Fisher, 
Colo.  Sargent,  Dowst,  Blaney,  Goodale,  and   Mr.  Bar- 

1  John  Lowell  and  James  Sullivan  were  elected  delegates  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  in  place  of  S.  Adams  and  A.  Ward.  They  presented 
their  credentials  May  20,  1782. 


Il8  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [April, 

nard  ;  so  much  respect  to  a  clergyman  of  [the]  Church 
of  England  !  !  Mr.  Prentice  here  on  his  way  to  Derry. 
A  large  company,  filling  two  rooms,  at  Mr.  Haraden's, 
the   wedding   house ;    Mr.   F.   not   there,   being   yet   a 


stranger  in  town. 


21.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  In  the  papers  an 
account  from  England  of  the  intention  of  the  English  to 
carry  on  the  war  with  vigour,  in  which  they  seem  more 
unanimous  than  ever,  all  parties  agreeing  in  that  opin- 
ion !     Clerk  Osgood  here. 

22.  Friday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  Mr.  O.  goes  to 
Cambridge  and  Boston. 

23.  Saturday.  Fine,  clear  day.  Ill  of  a  cold,  and 
could  not  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Messrs.  Fisher, 
Barnard  and  company.  Mr.  Bartlett  from  Cambridge ; 
but  our  long-expected  daughter  at  Danvers  comes  not. 

24.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  All  go  to  church  but  my- 
self ;  my  cold  grows  better. 

25.  Monday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Mr.  Bartlett  returns 
to  Cambridge  at  eve.  Mr.  Fisher,  Barnard,  Prince,  here 
with  the  Club. 

26.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  cool.  Dr.  Holyoke  and  Mr. 
Fisher  here  about  the  Church  books,  etc.,  given  in  Mr. 
Gil[christ's]  will. 

27.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  morning.  Rep.  Belknap,  by 
insolence  as  to  the  matter  of  att'y  fees,  gave  my  nerves 
no  small  irritation.  At  evening  S.  Gerrish  and  Wet- 
more  and  company  play  at  Pope  Joan.1 

30.  Saturday.     [The]  Julius  Caesar  launched. 
April  2.    Tuesday.     Fine,  fair  day.     Mr.  Wetmore  and 
I  set  out  for  Ipswich  Court. 

1  A  game  of  cards,  in  which  a  board  having  five  compartments  is  used 
to  hold  the  pool.  The  first  of  these  compartments  is  called  Pope  Joan  ; 
hence  the  name. 


i7S2.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 19 

6.  Saturday.  A  very  fine  day.  I  return  from  Court 
with  Mr.  Wetmore,  Sevvall  and  company. 

12.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Sewall  here;  Gen'l 
Farley  in  town. 

13.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  I  sent  Mr.  Gil- 
christ's sermons  to  Mr.  Fisher.  Mr.  Lafitte,  thou  art  too 
polite  ;  I  fear  more  polite  than  sincere. 

14.  Sunday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Mr.  Fisher 
preacheth.  Thou  saidst  that  I  might  not  depend  on  thy 
dining  with  me  yesterday,  accordingly  didst  not  come. 
Mr.  Lafitte  said  with  a  smile,  and  politely,  I  might  ex- 
pect him,  but  he  came  not.  Why  ?  Perhaps  because  he 
was  not  asked  the  evening  preceding.  If  for  that  reason, 
why  did  he  bid  me  expect  him  ?  Perhaps  because  the 
disappointment  might  operate  as  a  punishment  for  my 
unpoliteness.  If  this  be  true  politeness,  query  whether 
the  French  do  not  far  exceed  the  whole  world  in  true 
politeness. 

15.  Monday.  The  Club  at  Mr.  Blaney's  lodgings. 
Tea  at  Madam  Lynde's. 

16.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Mr.  W.  Win- 
throp  from  N.  London,  and  gives  an  account  of  people 
at  New  York. 

17.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Yesterday  Gray 
here  from  college.  Mr.  Cockle1  comes  to  town  from 
Mount  Desert,  lodges  at  Adams',  diets  at  Mr.  Vans' ;  is 
all  in  rags,  having  been  plundered,  robbed,  abused,  and 
barbarously  beat  by  Britons  and  Americans  by  turns. 

19.  Friday.  Some  rain.  A  concert  at  night  ;  musi- 
cians from  Boston,  and  dancing. 

20.  Saturday.  Rain.  Last  night  Mr.  Oliver  returned 
from  Boston  with  a  polite  letter  from  Mr.  Parker  to  Mr. 

1  James  Cockle,  at  one  time  collector  of  the  port  of  Salem,  his  com- 
mission dating  1762. 


120  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [April, 

Dowse  and  others,  proprietors'  committee,  and  with  a 
gown  for  the  parish  clerk.  Quod  nota !  Mr.  Cockle 
begins  to  prosecute  the  plunderers.     Mark  the  event ! 

21.  Sunday.  The  day  appointed  for  clerk  Atkins  to 
assume  the  toga  clericalis.  Some  think  he  will  defer  it 
until  the  former  clerk  Ward  has  notice,  and  leaves  the 
seat ;  others,  that  he  will  in  person  give  Ward  notice,  etc. 
A  cloudy  morning,  and  wet.  Mr.  Cockle  is  to  appear  at 
church  to-day  in  his  preposterous  breeches. 

Vans,  Qu.  Mr.  C,  why  do  you  forbid  your  poor 
neighbour  Bunker  and  others  to  dig  clams  on  the  flats, 
as  they  are  everywhere  common  ? 

C.  Mr.  V.,  it  is  plain  you  understand  nothing  of  the 
English  Constitution. 

Vans.  Why  don't  you  forbid  people  to  fish  near  the 
flats  ? 

C.  Why,  don't  you  know,  sir,  that  fish  are  itinerant, 
force  natures,  sir,  and  clams  are  located  ?  Every  man  who 
reads  the  English  law  knows  that. 

V.  Why,  do  you  read  the  laws  of  England  ? 

C.  No,  sir  ;  but  I  used  to  read  them  before  the  ras- 
cals stole  my  books,  and  you  might  learn  as  much  in 
your  Bible  at  your  leisure. 

V.   Why,  do  you  read  the  Bible,  then  ? 

C.  I  used  to  read  it  before  the  rascals  stole  my  spec- 
tacles. Mr.  V.,  no  man  ought  to  give  up  his  Prince;  by 
the  laws  of  England  and  by  the  Bible,  no  man  ought  to 
give  up  his  bread  without  an  acknowledgment,  an  equiv- 
alent, sir. 

V.  But  you  don't  call  clams  your  bread  and  youi 
right  and  all  that  ? 

C.  But  I  do,  though,  both  by  the  law-book  and  Bible, 
as  I  could  show  you  if  I  could  once  get  my  spectacles. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  121 

25.  Thursday.  Fast  Day.  Service  at  church,  a.  m.  ; 
none,  p.  m.     Mr.  Cockle  breakfasts  here. 

26.  Friday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Mansfield  comes  to  agree 
on  another  day  for  the  arbitration  at  Andover  ;  proposeth 
early  the  week  after  next. 

27.  Saturday.  I  dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  with  Mr. 
Winthrop  and  Mr.  Cockle. 

28.  Sunday.  Mr.  Fisher  goes  to  Marblehead.  Mr. 
Steward  reads,  and  tries  to  read.  Mr.  Winthrop  and 
Wetmore  here  at  tea. 

29.  Monday.  A  fine,  fair  morning.  At  7  John  sets 
out  for  Cambridge  in  Dr.  Putnam's  chaise  with  Master 
Eben'r. 

30.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Cockle  breakfasts  with  me.  Mr. 
Ward  and  Ives  call  to  speak  with  Mr.  Cockle,  and  to 
confer  with  him  about  the  robbery  which  he  charged  to 
this  Ives'  brother  Wm.,  but  nothing  comes  of  this  con- 
ference. 

May  2.  Thursday.  Early,  Mr.  Blaney  and  I  set  out 
for  Boston.  I  catch  cold  dining  at  Colo.  Sargent's,  in 
his  large,  cold,  and  damp  room  ;  add  to  my  cold,  and  at 
night  go  to  bed  ill,  but  resting  till  Friday,  10  o'clock, 
recover.  Mr.  Kollock,  Dunbar,  and  Danforth  meet  and 
choose  arbitrators. 

3.  Ftiday.  Wet  day.  The  arbitrators  meet,  [and] 
hear  the  parties,  who  behave  with  much  decency  and 
propriety,  —  how  rare  a  sight  where  a  large  estate  is  the 
subject  of  inquiry  ! 

4.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  cold,  and  rain.  Mr.  Blaney 
and  I  set  out  for  Salem  ;  arrive  by  5  o'clock,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Bentley  from  Newhall's.  News  from  Connec- 
ticut that  Parliament  resolves  to  withdraw  the  British 
troops  from  America,  and  bend  all  their  force  against 
France,   and    declare    America    independent.       Credat 

Judczus. 


122  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

6.  Monday.  A  fair,  clear  day.  More  rumours  of  in- 
dependence: 

7.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  morning.  Mr.  Mansfield, 
Pickering,  and  myself  set  out  for  Andover,  on  Peabody 
arbitration. 

8.  Wednesday.  A  wet  day  ;  proper  for  arbitration 
business. 

9.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  We  leave  Andover, 
where  we  were  lodged  and  treated  with  great  civility  by 
S.  Phillips,  Sr.,  and  arrive  at  Salem  in  season.  On  the 
road  we  meet  T.  F.,  who  tells  us  of  a  severe  firing  he 
heard  in  the  Bay,  and  that  Cabot's  mast-ship  and  some 
other  vessels  were  taken  by  a  British  man-of-war.  On 
coming  to  Salem  we  find  nobody  had  heard  of  any  firing. 
News  from  the  West  Indies  of  Independence. 

10.  Friday.  Cloudy  morning.  More  and  more  of 
Independence  [and]  of  withdrawing  the  British  troops, 
etc. 

11.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain;  p.  m.,  fine, 
warm  air.  A  fiddler  goes  through  the  streets  fiddling 
of  Independence  ;  the  boys  throw  dirt  at  him  for  joy. 
Last  evening  some  of  the  young  gentlemen  of  the  town 
manifest  their  joy  by  vomiting  along  the  streets,  as 
though  intoxicated  by  strong  drink  ;  then  with  brick- 
bats, etc.,  attack  a  poor  woman's  house,  disturb  her  fam- 
ily, keeping  them  awake  by  repeated  noises  at  her  doors, 
and  affright  her  and  her  six  children,  crying  Liberty 
and  Property.  Mr.  Shimmin  from  Boston  says  few  there 
fully  credit  the  reports  of  Independence,  etc. 

13.  Monday.  Rain  ;  at  night,  thunder,  lightning,  and 
rain.  Mr.  Hooper  offers  to  lay  two  against  one  that,  in 
the  sea  engagement  in  the  West  Indies,  the  French  had 
a  smart  drubbing,  and  lost  4  or  5  ships.  At  town  meet- 
ing, none  chosen  Representatives  will  serve  for  Salem, 
so  the  meeting  is  adjourned. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  123 

15.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  Cockle  is 
detained  by  the  weather.  Mess.  Cabot,  Pullen,  and 
comp.  spend  the  evening  here. 

16.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  Cockle  goes  to 
Marblehead,  and  thence  for  Mt.  Desert. 

18.  Saturday.  Clear  and  fair  day.  Mr.  Winthrop 
comes  to  town  with  Mr.  Wetmore. 

19.  Sunday.  A  fair  day.  Mr.  Winthrop  and  Mr. 
Wetmore  dine  here. 

20.  Monday.     Mrs.  and  Miss  Higginson. 

22.  Wednesday.  Moderate,  cloudy  morning.  Mrs. 
and  Miss  Higginson,1  with  F.  Cabot  and  F.  Oliver,  set 
out  for  Boston.  At  night  the  Commissary  Hopkins 
comes  to  town  to  search  for  stores  of  goods  brought  from 
Halifax  by  Mrs.  Higginson;  he  behaves  with  much 
humanity  and  politeness,  takes  an  account  of  trunks, 
packages,  etc.,  and  hath  them  opened  and  inspected,  but 
with  the  eyes,  more  humano. 

23.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Mr.  Peabody  and 
Mrs.  Beck  here,  but  would  not  dine. 

25.  Saturday.  Mr.  Fisher  calls  on  us  ;  is  rejoiced 
that  he  can  have  Capt.  Briton's  house.  The  jealousies 
and  malevolent  disposition  against  Mrs.  H.  and  daughter 
continue  ;  nay,  increase.  Thus  do  the  heathen  and  bar- 
barians rage,  and  the  people  imagine  a  vain  thing,  the 
kings  of  the  earth  and  the  Congress.  By  Mrs.  Cot- 
nam's  and  other  letters  from  Halifax,  as  well  as  from 
his  own,  we  learn  that  our  friend  P.  Marston  continues 
still  in  the  course  of  heinous  sins  and  offences,  espe- 
cially those  of  humanity  and  adversity.  At  evening  Mr. 
F.  Cabot  and  Mrs.  Higginson  return  from  Boston  with- 

1  Mrs.  Higginson  was  a  sister  of  Thomas  Robie,  whose  loyalty  made  it 
necessary  for  him  and  his  family  to  leave  the  country.  She  sailed  with  her 
brother  for  Halifax,  and  was  now  on  a  visit  to  her  native  town. 


124  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

out  any  prospect  of  success,  or  of  any  treatment  from 
government  but  what  is  rough  and  revengeful,  except 
[from]  some  who  feel  for  the  calamities  of  their  neigh- 
bours. Mr.  Wetmore,  Winthrop,  Oliver  and  ux.,  and 
Mrs.  Orne  dine  with  us. 

26.  Sunday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mrs.  Higginson  and 
daughter  go  to  Beverly.  News  that  Rodney  took  14 
sail,  —  French  ships. 

28.  Tuesday.  Some  rain.  I  get  9  gallons  of  red 
wine  at  Story's. 

29.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  All  election  matters  go 
on  with  languor  ;  everything  seems  to  be  upon  a  small 
scale.  The  clergy  allowed  no  public  dinners ;  they 
shrug  and  look  gloomy  [when]  met  together,  and  seem 
to  whisper  their  discontent  and  dislike.  Tom  bottles  off 
my  wine. 

31.  Friday.  A  cool  day.  Mr.  Fisher  and  I  purchase 
a  pipe  of  madeira  of  Smithhurst,  at  5/6  a  gallon.  So 
here  ends  May,  which  has  proved  cloudy,  cold,  and 
pretty  wet,  but  exhibits  a  fine  prospect  as  to  the  grass. 

yune  1.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Jona. 
Rich  from  Mt.  Desert  informs  of  Mr.  Cockle's  and  of 
Stanley's  safe  arrival  ;  also  of  more  plundering  by  priva- 
teers. Sweep  on,  sweep  on,  barbarians,  't  is  all  the  fash- 
ion !  't  is  part  of  the  liberty  purchased  with  American 
blood  !  I  received  a  letter  of  Feb.  7  from  Bro.  Pynchon, 
N.  York. 

2.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  I  saw  Mr.  Bentley,  one  of 
the  tutors,  at  Mr.  Barnard's. 

3.  Monday.  A  very  fine  morning.  Rumours  of  Brit- 
ish troops  leaving  N.  York. 

4.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Mr. 
Cabot  return  from  Boston.  Cartel  said  not  to  have 
sailed. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  125 

5.  Wednesday.  A  very  clear,  fine  day.  Rich  and 
Mrs.  Moore  go  for  Mt.  Desert ;  by  them  I  write  to 
Cockle.     Tom  Duchfield  bottles  my  madeira. 

7.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  A  2d  conversa- 
tion with  Neib.  Glover  on  behalf  of  a  friend,  Mrs.  Mas- 
carene,  concerning  her  son  John's  apprenticeship ;  her 
years  and  misfortunes  open  to  her  many  veins  of  reflec- 
tion. Mrs.  Pynchon  goes  to  Boston  with  Capt.  Lee, 
Patty,  and  Mrs.  Orne  in  the  stage  ;  a  fine  afternoon  for 
them,  but  the  wind  somewhat  brisk.  Qn.,  whether  Mrs. 
P.  will  venture  over  Charlestown  ferry. 

8.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Dr.  Putnam  and  I  go  to 
see  Judge  Trowbridge,  and  dine  with  him  at  Mr.  Der- 
by's farm ;  on  return  we  find  that  Mrs.  P.  went  from 
Cambridge  to  Boston  with  John,  and  from  Medford  to 
Cambridge  with  Mr.  Fitch.  By  Capt.  Derby  and  others' 
accounts,  we  find  that  Count  de  Grasse,  F.  Admiral,  and 
his  ship  of  1 1  guns  were  taken,  and  that  he  lost  7  ships 
in  all ;  the  English,  but  one.  Also  hear  that  Admiral 
Kempenfelt  beat  the  French  and  dispersed  them  in 
their  way  to  the  Texel. 

9.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  More  news  that  Kempenfelt 
took  4  of  the  French  ships,  and  drove  3  others  of  them 
ashore,  as  they  were  proceeding  to  join  the  Dutch,  so 
that  the  French  this  spring  must  have  lost  18  sail  of  the 
Line. 

12.  Wednesday.  Invitation  to  turtle  at  Webb's  on 
account  of  the  birth  of  the  Dauphin.  I  go  to  Boston  for 
Mrs.  Pynchon.  Mrs.  P.  and  I  sup  at  Dr.  Loring's  at 
Cambridge. 

14.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  We  dine  at  Mr.  Mason's 
with  Mr.  Winthrop.  I  wait  on  the  President  and  some 
of  the  tutors,  the  steward,  etc.,  Dr.  Kneeland  and  Mrs. 
Wendell,  Mr.    Mellen,  etc.,  and  find  it  the  prevailing 


126  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

opinion  that  taxation  will  not  longer  answer  the  purpose 
of  continuing  the  war  without  help  by  loans,  and  no 
prospect  of  any.  Have  much  satisfaction  at  hearing  of 
John's  behaviour  at  college. 

1 6.  Sunday.  Mr.  J.  Lee  and  lady  in  town,  and  go  to 
church.     Go  on  to  Cambridge  early  Monday  morning. 

17.  Monday.  Clear  and  very  warm.  Parson  ...  of 
Dover  with  the  Club  at  Dr.  Holyoke's. 

18.  Tuesday.  Very  warm.  I  go  to  Ipswich.  Court 
opens  p.  m.  I  return  in  the  cool  of  the  evening,  after 
Court.     I  had  not  an  appeal  to  enter. 

19.  Wednesday.  Warm.  I  tarry  at  home.  News  of 
the  rescue  of  Parson  Ely  out  of  N.  Hampton  jail  by  a 
body  of  armed  men,  and  of  another  body  of  armed  men 
pursuing  and  overtaking  them. 

20.  Thursday.  Morning  cool.  Mrs.  P.  and  I  go  to 
Ipswich,  and  return  at  night.  I  find  Sarah  Clough  had 
jumped  out  of  the  barn  window  and  sprained  her  ankle. 

21.  Friday.  Warm  and  clear  day.  Miss  Higginson 
at  Mrs.  Goodale's.  S.  Williams  calls  and  inquires  for  Mr. 
G.,  knowing  him  to  be  at  Boston  ;  he  stares  at  Miss 
Higginson  as  at  an  alien  ;  he  came  to  see  her,  not  him. 

22.  Saturday.  Warm.  G.  Williams  is  for  stirring 
up  strife,  and  making  mischief  for  Colo.  Frye's  family. 

23.  Sunday.  A  warm  day  ;  rain  p.  m.  Mr.  O.  offi- 
ciates at  church  to  general  liking. 

24.  Monday.  A  clear  day  and  moderate.  Grand 
horse-race  to  be  at  Lynn  beach.  The  race  was  run,  but 
the  stakes  withdrawn  :  one  of  the  riders  and  his  horse 
fell  down  in  the  water. 

25.  Tuesday,  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  The  Maritime 
Court  sits  here,  and  it  is  the  last  of  arresting  for  July 
Court  at  Salem  and  at  Boston.  Bro.  H.  and  lady  come 
to  town  in  splendour;  but  the  Judge  came  first  in  an 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  127 

open  chaise,  driven  by  a  lad  with  a  flapt  hat,  sitting  at 
the  right  hand  of  the  Judge.  The  latter  wore  a  scarlet 
coat,  his  hat  not  flapt ;  he  leaned  on  his  cane  as  he  rode. 
On  such  occasions  every  circumstance  becomes  a  mat- 
ter of  importance  ;  forma  scepe  dat  esse. 

26.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear,  pleasant  morning. 
Judge  N.  dishing,  Paine,  Emery,  Mansfield,  and  Par- 
sons here,  and  sup. 

27.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  day  and  evening.  Sup 
at  Mr.  Wetmore's  with  some  of  the  Bar. 

28.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cool  morning.  The  Mari- 
time Court  ends  ;  in  two  causes,  having  determined  that 
a  crew's  going  ashore  and  plundering  houses  of  their 
goods,  etc.,  is  a  singling,  and  taking  them  at  sea  below 
low- water  mark. 

29.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  Parsons  tells  me 
of  J.  Cushing's  being  in  nomination  for  Judge  of  Supe- 
rior Court. 

July  1.  Monday.  A  cloudy  morning;  a  fine  shower. 
The  oldest  man  cannot  recollect  the  time  when  the  face 
of  the  earth  appeared  so  finely  covered  as  now  with  the 
green  herb  for  the  service  of  man. 

2.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Meeting  upon 
Peabody's  concerns  and  arbitration  appointed,  but  Squire 
Mansfield  comes  not  before  2  o'clock  ;  then  a  meeting 
and  hearing  of  the  parties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Browne  come 
to  town,  but  will  not  make  one  visit  out  of  the  tavern. 
Two  prizes  come  in  to-day  :  one  with  a  cargo  of  fish  from 
N.  F.  land  ;  the  other  with  cargo  of  lumber,  etc.,  from 
Quebeck.  A  rumour  of  300  men  speaking  for  a  dinner 
at  the  tavern  at  Amherst  at  meeting  of  the  Court  there, 
by  way  of  terror  to  the  justices,  as  it  is  surmised.  Mr. 
Lowell  writes  that  Gen'l  Washington  is  offered  3000 
men  from    New  York  to  join   his    army;  so  much  for 


128  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

Huddy's  affair.     Lippencot,  it  is  said,  has  had  a  trial 
there. 

3.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cold,  and  pleasant  day.  R. 
Wyer  and  S.  G.  walk  with  me  to  A.  Waters.  G.  calls  at 
Beck's,  but  her  cake  is  so  dear  he  buys  none,  but  begs 
a  bit  of  Wyer  and  me  ;  he  buys  a  large  lobster,  but 
beats  down  the  poor  fisherman  1/4  part  of  his  price.  As 
to  the  query  how  he  could  find  it  in  his  heart  to  take 
that  advantage,  "  Oh,  't  is  hard  times,  partner  ;  a  man 
must  look  out  sharp,  to  live  now  !  " 

4.  Thursday.  A  very  cool  morning,  —  so  cool  that  I 
can  scarce  keep  myself  comfortable  with  cloth  coat  and 
jacket ;  the  latter,  too,  lined  with  flannel.  Mrs.  Spar- 
hawk  died  last  ...  as  appears  by  the  N.  papers. 

5.  Friday.  A  fine  day,  cool  and  comfortable.  At 
Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mr.  Noyes  in  the  evening.  The 
Gen'l  Court  is  about  to  rise  ;  where  can  they  find  money 
for  present  occasions  ?  None  will  trust  their  promises  ; 
taxation  proves  inadequate  ;  none  inclined  to  lend  the 
treasurer ;  his  accounts  in  confusion  ;  an  assistant  trea- 
surer is  chosen. 

6.  Saturday.  Cloudy  morning  ;  wind  S.  E.  I  spoke 
to  Capt.  Derby  as  to  Davis'  money  in  Sheriff  Hender- 
son's hands  at  Boston. 

7.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  day ;  towards 
night  a  fog  comes  up.  We  hear  that  it  was  proposed  at 
Salem  town  meeting  to  choose  a  committee  to  wait  on 
Jno.  P.  and  ask  him  to  accept  of  the  office  of  Judge  of 
Admiralty.  Objection  that  the  town  could  not  appoint 
him  at  length  prevailed,  so  no  committee  was  chosen. 

8.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning.  In  the  evening  Colo. 
Sargent  was  here  with  the  Club. 

9.  Tuesday.  The  Court  met.  A  fine,  pleasant  day. 
Their  Honours  drove  Jehu-like,  floundering  along  thro. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 29 

thick  and  thin  ;  if  a  party  was  but  gone  to  Mingo,  "  Call 
him  out,  call  him  out,"  was  the  cry. 

10.  Wednesday.  Worse  and  worse  ;  they  must  go 
home  on  Saturday. 

11.  Thursday.     Mr.  Fisher  and  lady  and  goods  come. 

12.  Friday.  The  three  judges  spend  the  evening  at 
my  house. 

13.  Saturday.  The  Court  about  12  adjourn  without 
day,  and  three  of  them  dine  with  me. 

17.  Wednesday.  A  very  cool,  fine  morning  for  Com- 
mencement. John  and  Patty,  myself  and  Sally  Oliver, 
set  out  at  5  o'clock  for  Cambridge,  and  arrive  at  1/2  past 
8  o'clock  ;  are  hospitably  and  genteelly  entertained  at 
Mr.  Bartlett's  chambers.  I  dine  in  the  hall,  [and]  wanted 
for  nothing  but  elbow-room  ;  before  noon  was  in  the 
meeting  house  at  the  mental  feast  and  entertainment. 
All  eyes,  addresses,  all  compliments,  are  directed  toward 
thee,  Handcocky,  O  rare  Handcocky  !  Not  a  word  of 
thee,  stout,  first  mover,  Adams,  but  all  like  new  year's 
warm  wishes,  without  meaning  or  belief  ;  like  "  your  very 
humble  servant"  at  the  bottom  of  a  challenge.  To  the 
President  were  some  bows  of  affection  and  sincerity  ;  to 
the  Lt.  Governor  and  company  not  a  word  that  could 
offend  their  delicacy  byway  of  compliment.  What  could 
be  said  to  Adams,  who  entered  the  pew  as  if  going  to 
steal  a  .  .  .  ;  to  B.,  who  entered  as  if  to  beat  down  a 
castle  ? 

18.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  I  go  with  Miss  Orne  to 
Boston,  and  return  to  dine  at  Mr.  Mellen's ;  at  5  o'clock 
set  out  for  Salem. 

19.  Friday.  A  fine  day  ;  warm.  Mr.  Davis  and  Bart- 
lett  from  Cambridge  come  and  lodge. 

20.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Mr.  Davis  re- 
turns to  Boston. 

9 


130  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [August, 

21.  Sunday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Spend  the 
evening  at  Mr.  Cabot's,  Dr.  Putnam  and  Holyoke. 

22.  Monday.  Cloudy  day.  Sent  a  jug  of  white  wine, 
21/2  gallons,  to  Mr.  Fisher,  and  put  9  bottles  do.  into 
the  cellar,  western  wall. 

24.  Wednesday.  President  Willard  and  Mr.  Barnard 
call  to  see  me,  Mrs.  Pynchon  being  gone  to  Danvers 
with  Mrs.  Goodale ;  on  their  return  they  were  overtaken 
in  a  thunder  squall.  A  fine  rain,  which  rejoiceth  the 
face  of  the  earth  and  of  man. 

25.  Thursday.  News  of  damage  done  by  lightning 
at  Boston.  Mr.  Orne's  family  endangered  by  a  flash 
which  went  down  his  chimney  and  passed  out  at  the 
door. 

26.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool  morning.  At  12  at  night 
Mr.  Oliver  returns  from  Boston ;  gives  a  partial  account 
of  the  effects  of  the  lightning  upon  Judge  Oliver's  house 
there,  shewing  to  demonstration  the  efficacy  of  points 
in  directing  the  lightning  and  preserving  buildings,  etc. 
Mr.  Fisher  and  lady  and  other  company  spend  the  even- 
ing [here]. 

27.  Saturday.  Some  rain,  cloudy,  and  wind  W.  Mr. 
Dowse,  Atkins,  and  I  at  Mr.  Fisher's  in  the  evening. 

29.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Sewall 
dines  with  us  ;  is  in  much  tribulation. 

August  1.  Thursday.  Barber  insults  Justice  Wet- 
more,  and  is  tried  and  bound  over. 

2.  Friday.  Mr.  Atherton  and  Mr.  Dunbar  come,  and 
spend  the  afternoon  and  evening  with  Dr.  Putnam  and 
Mr.  Oliver. 

3.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day ;  some  rain.  Mr. 
Sewall  here  at  tea. 

4.  Stmday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Mr.  Warren  at 
church  ;  also  Mr.  Lafitte. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  131 

5.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Warren,  Bartlett,  and 
Pickman  :  dine  with  John. 

6.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter,  here  in  the  evening.  Yester- 
day the  young  gentlemen  and  ladies  set  out  at  5  o'clock 
to  breakfast  at  Danvers.  Every  green  thing  is  drying 
up  apace. 

7.  Wednesday.  A  fine  morning.  Mrs.  Cabot  sells 
her  house  to  S.  Page  for  1500.     Q.  If  enough. 

8.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  morning.  J.  Trow- 
bridge and  J.  Russell  at  Dr.  Putnam's. 

9.  Friday.  A  clear,  warm  morning.  Dodge  brings  a 
load  of  hay ;  Mr.  Wetmore's  and  my  horse  begin  upon  it. 

10.  Saturday.  Some  rain  p.  m.  Mr.  Wetmore  with 
Mr.  Waldo  come  at  night.  Jacob  moves  Mr.  Wetmore's 
hay. 

11.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Prisoners  from  Eng- 
land, Jno.  Higginson  et  al.  come  home,  and  say  that  all 
the  American  prisoners  are  released  and  sent  home  at 
the  instance  of  the  new  ministry.  Spend  the  evening 
till  9  at  Mr.  Fisher's  ;  till  1 1  at  Mr.  Wetmore's,  and  large 
company,  Mrs.  Waldo,  etc. 

12.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Evening  spent  at 
Mr.  Goodale's.     J.  Trowbridge  in  town. 

13.  Tuesday.  A  cool,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Dowst 
calls  to  see  Mrs.  Waldo,  and  she  and  Mrs.  P.  go  to  visit 
Mrs.  Cabot ;  she  goes  to  Boston  with  Mr.  Wetmore. 

15.  Thursday.  Dr.  Lloyd  and  company  here.  In  the 
papers  is  Sir  G.  Carleton's  letter  to  G.  Washington  as 
to  proposals  for  exchange  of  prisoners  and  for  general 
peace,  and  American  independence  is  a  preliminary  !  G. 
Britain  !  and  canst  thou  stoop  to  the  laws  of  necessity 

1  Mr.  Benjamin  Pickman  was  the  sixth  of  the  name.  He  was  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  1784,  and  was  afterwards  a  member  of  Congress. 
In  17S9  he  married  Anstis  Derby. 


132  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

only  ?  Why  not  propose  this  in  1776  ;  millions  of  wealth, 
and  thousands  of  lives,  and  immense  corruption  would 
have  been  saved  !  The  ambitious  is  a  little  man  ;  the 
ambitious  nation  must  stoop. 

16.  Friday.  Clear  and  warm  morning.  Miss  Wen- 
dell and  Patty  go  to  Mrs.  Greenwood's,  and  spend  the 
evening  with  the  young  company.  Circumstances  and 
rumours  looking  toward  peace  hourly  increase.  Mr. 
King  from  Portsmouth  and  Mr.  Bartlett  are  here  at  tea. 

17.  Saturday.  A  clear,  warm  morning.  No  corn,  no 
2d  crop  of  grass  ;  dry,  terribly  dry  !  Peace,  peace  is  the 
word  ;  no  more  taxes  now  !  French  74-gun  ship  goes 
ashore  and  is  spoiled. 

19.  Monday.  W.  S.  E.,  and  a  fine  rain,  which  pre- 
vents John  and  Bartlett  from  setting  out  for  Cambridge. 
Mr.  Bentley  calls  for  Miss  Wendell's  letter.  I  wrote  to 
the  President,  etc.,  for  John's  learning  French  at  college, 
upon  the  terms  and  conditions  required  there. 

20.  Tuesday.  Sunshine.  Mr.  Bartlett  returns  p.  m. 
John  and  Amory  have  rooms  together. 

21.  Wednesday.  Cloudy;  a  very  little  rain.  Mari- 
time Court  sits  at  Salem. 

24.  Saturday.  Clear  and  warm.  By  the  papers  Mr. 
Sumner  is  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court ! 

26.  Monday.  Clear  and  warm.  The  Congress  take 
Carleton's  letter  as  matter  of  information  only,  and  pre- 
pare for  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners  only,  but  no 
further  for  peace. 

27.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Dr.  Waldo 
said  to  be  in  earnest  as  to  Miss  M.^and  L.  O.  as  to  Miss 
C d.     Mark  the  end  of  both. 

1  This  Miss  M.  was  probably  Milly  Messenger,  to  whom  Dr.  W.  was 
married  in  the  following  year.  She  was  his  second  wife,  and  after  his  death 
married  Rev.  Dr.  Prince. 


i782.'J  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  133 

29.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Mellen  comes,  and  we  all  dine  at 
Mr.  Goodale's,  and  sup,  too.  Amory  and  Parker  come 
and  dine  with  John,  and  return  at  night.  Mr.  Bartlett 
also  dines  with  them.  They  set  out  for  Cambridge  after 
tea. 

30.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mrs.  Mellen 
goes  to  Cambridge.  Parsons  and  Wetmore  come  from 
Boston.     Templeman  goes  to  Boston  for  good. 

31.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  speak  again  to 
Capt.  Derby  as  to  Sheriff  Henderson's  having  Davis' 
debt,  and  as  to  suing  for  it,  but  he  would  give  no  direc- 
tions in  it. 

September  I.  Sunday.  A  cool  day;  wind  S.  E.  ; 
clear.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prince  and  Miss  Messenger,  Mrs. 
Sanders  and  Miss  Harris,  here  at  tea.  Mr.  Lowell  here. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher  spend  the  evening  here. 

2.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Bentley  called  here 
in  the  morning  in  his  way  to  Cambridge.  Mr.  Mellen 
comes  and  lodges  here. 

3.  Tuesday.  Clear,  fine  morning.  Mr.  Mellen,  Mrs. 
Pynchon,  and  Mrs.  Goodale  set  out  for  Cambridge  at 
about  1/2  past  eight  a.  m.  Rumours  that  negociations 
at  Paris  ended  abruptly  ;  these  by  vessel  into  Providence. 
A  grand  prize  of  sugar  and  cotton,  the  Graftons  chief 
owners. 

4.  Wednesday.  Wind  N.  E.  ;  cool  and  clear.  It  is 
now  said  that  the  Dutch  demands  against  England  are 
so  high  as  to  break  up  the  negociations  for  peace. 

5.  Thursday.  Rumoured  that  the  negociation  at  Paris  is 
proceeding,  and  that  the  news  to  the  contrary  is  not  true. 

6.  Friday.  Cool  and  clear ;  wind  S.  E.  Sol.  Davis 
from  Boston  says  the  news  is  that  an  English  fleet  of 
3 1  sail,  men-of-war,  have  arrived  at  N.  York,  and  troops 
from  England  at  Halifax  ;  and  that  Gen'l  Washington 


134  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

hath  sent  to  the  several  States  to  be  on  their  guard,  espe- 
cially at  Boston,  as  their  design  is  probably  against  the 
French  fleet  there  ;  so  all  hands,  French  and  Ameri- 
cans, are  gone  down  to  the  islands  a-fortifying. 

9.  Monday.     At  Mr.  Blaney's  in  the  evening. 

10.  Tuesday.  The  last  of  suing  for  Newb[ury]  Court. 
Clear  and  fair. 

12.   Thursday.     Mr.  Stacey  here  from  Cambridge. 

15.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Letters  from 
Mr.  Adams,  who  says  that  we  are  to  have  no  more 
bloody  noses  in  America  with  the  British  ;  and  that  the 
affairs  of  peace  go  on  still,  though  slowly  yet  surely. 

20.  Friday.  Mr.  Fitch  and  ux.,  Vans,  etc.,  dine  at 
Capt.  Lee's. 

21.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  but  continues  dry. 
We  hear  of  Flora's  wants  ;  her  husband  sick  ;  also  of 
embarkation  at  N.  York,  and  of  surmises  of  a  design 
against  Boston.  Suspicions  are  natural  to  little  minds 
and  to  the  guilty. 

23.  Monday.  I  set  out  for  Newbury  Court.  Lodge 
at  Ipswich. 

26.    Thuj-sday.     John  came  from  Cambridge  unwell. 

28.  Saturday.  We  went  with  Mr.  Pullen  to  see  Mrs. 
Atkins. 

29.  Sunday.  Set  out,  and  at  Ipswich  heard  Mr. 
Dana.     At  sunset  arrived  at  Salem. 

October  1.  T?iesday.  Rain.  Singing- school  house 
goes  on  heavily ;  some  withdraw  their  subscriptions. 

2.  Wednesday.  Fair,  clear,  and  cool.  Bro.  Stephen 
and  Mr.  Marston  here  at  tea.  John  went  to  Cambridge 
with  Mr.  Bartlett. 

3.  Thursday.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cranch  at  Dr.  Putnam's. 

4.  Friday.  Mrs.  Bourn  and  Mrs.  Lee  here  at  tea. 
Mr.  Walker  and  Patty  exchange  goods. 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 35 

5,  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Colo.  Johonnot  stops 
at  the  door  with  horses  and  servants. 

7.  Monday.  Cloudy  ;  at  night  some  rain.  Mr.  Bart- 
lett's  school  fills  up  apace. 

8.  Tuesday.  Rain.  Mr.  Wetmore  married  to  Miss 
Waldo.1 

11.  Friday.  Fine  morning.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher 
return  thro.  Cambridge. 

13.  Sunday,  a.  m.  at  Mr.  Prince's  meeting,  and  hear 
Mr.  Eliot,  p.  m.,  I  go  to  Cambridge;  lodge  at  Mr. 
Gannet's. 

14.  Monday.     Return  with  John. 

15.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  cool.  It  is  said  the  singing- 
school  will  be  raised  this  week,  and  the  74-gun  ship  at 
Portsmouth  on  Wednesday,  next  week. 

16.  Wednesday.  John  sets  out  for  Cambridge,  and  at 
night  returns  with  Mr.  Dwight.     A  fair  day. 

18.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain  a.  m.  We  sup 
at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

19.  Saturday.  Cool  and  fair.  W.  Pickman's  wife 
in  danger. 

20.  Sunday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mrs.  Pickman  dies.2 
I  go  to  see  Mr.  Fisher. 

21.  Monday.  At  Dr.  Holyoke's.  Read  Jenyns  on 
Evidences  of  Christianity. 

22.  Tuesday.     The  singing-school  raised. 

23.  Wednesday.  Fair.  The  evening  at  Mr.  Wet- 
more's, and  a  large  company  and  an  elegant  supper. 

25.  Friday.  Fair  and  very  pleasant.  Evening  at  Mr. 
Goodale's  ;  supper  exceeding  elegant.    Two  French  gen- 

1  Miss  Sally  Waldo  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  Samuel  Waldo  of  Fal- 
mouth. 

2  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Pickman,  Esq.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  Dudley  Leavitt. 


136  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

tlemen  there,  Mrs.  Waldo,  Mr.  Wetmore  and  ux.     Band 
of  music  there  after  the  company  went  off  at  12  o'clock. 

26.  Saturday.  Clear  morning.  Mr.  Wetmore  and 
Mrs.  Waldo  set  out  for  Boston.  Mr.  Bromfield  and 
daughter  come  to  town. 

27.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  Mr.  Wetmore 
returns  with  Miss  Lucy  Waldo  from  Boston. 

28.  Monday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Upham  sets  out  for  Deer- 
field. 

29.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Dwight  sets  out  for  Cambridge 
with  Eb.  Putnam. 

30.  Wednesday.  Rain.  Eb.  Putnam's  chaise  and  my 
horse  return  at  night. 

November  1.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  morn- 
ing. Capt.  Derby  asks  about  Henderson,  whether  he 
has  sent  the  money  Davis  paid  him  or  not.  I  ask  him 
whether  he  would  sue  Henderson  or  not. 

5.  Tuesday.     The  Supreme  Court  sits. 

6.  Wednesday.  Having  caught  cold,  I  come  home, 
and  go  out  to  Court  no  more,  and  suffer  in  my  business. 

9.  Saturday.  The  Court  and  Bar  dine  with  me  on 
fish.  We  hear  that  Jno.  Mascarene  at  length  hath  a 
place  of  business  and  habitation  in  the  country,  to  the 
great  relief  of  the  family  and  friends. 

16.  Saturday.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston  ; 
left  Mrs.  W.  and  Miss  Lucy  there. 

17.  Sunday.  Cool.  What  happiness  can  one  of  sen- 
sibility have  in  a  post,  a  log,  for  a  companion  !  A  tree 
hath  life  and  seems  sociable. 

18.  Monday.  I  go  to  Marblehead,  and  Jeremiah  Proc- 
tor and  Knot  Pedrick  promise  still  soon  to  come  and 
settle.  Soh  !  The  Spaniards  must  needs  storm  Gib- 
raltar, and  what  have  they  got  by  it  ?  As  much  as 
the  Britons  have  got  by  invading  America.     O  brave 


1782.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  I  37 

Elliot,  thy  fortune  is  made  at  the  expense  of  how  many 
millions,  how  many  lives  !  Camifices,  quo,  quo  scclesti 
ruitis. 

19.  Tuesday.  Rain.  This  the  last  of  arresting  for 
Dec.  Court. 

20.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  Wetmore  sets 
out  early  for  Boston. 

21.  Thursday.  Snow-storm.  How  glad  that  we  have 
wood  to  carry  us  through  this  storm  {Icetus  in  prcesens 
quod  ultra  oderit  curare).  It  clears  up  at  evening,  and 
I  spend  it  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mr.  Lafitte. 

22.  Friday.  Fair,  clear,  and  cold.  In  the  evening 
Mess.  Noyes,  L.  Oliver,  and  Mrs.  Higginson  here.  Mr. 
Goodale's  Old  White  is  sold. 

23.  Saturday.  Raw,  cold,  and  cloudy.  I  give  Holt's 
note  of  120/  for  the  horse  to  Mr.  Goodale. 

24.  Sunday.  At  church  a.  m.  Cartel  from  Halifax 
into  Marblehead,  informs  of  the  capture  of  5  vessels 
from  this  town.  Mr.  Fisher  tarries  till  10  in  the  even- 
ing, with  us,  too  ! 

25.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning ;  rains  all  day.  Thos. 
Winthrop,  Esq.,  dines  here.  See  the  poet,  lampoon  on 
his  courtship.  At  the  Club  this  evening  we  are  highly 
entertained  with  Savage's  Life  in  Johnson's  Lives  of  the 
Poets. 

26.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  rains  ;  p.  m.  clear.  Mr. 
Templeman  at  tea. 

28.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving.  We  dine  at  Mr.  Good- 
ale's.    Extreme  cold. 

30.  Saturday.  The  wind  south,  and  more  moderate. 
S.  Sewall  of  Marblehead  here ;  Mr.  Grafton  at  tea  here ; 
Hunt  from  Boston  ;  also  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore.  John 
and  Bartlett  ride  to  Ipswich,  and  return  at  night. 

December  2.  Monday.  Clear  and  pleasant.  John,  on 
Mr.  Fisher's  horse,  rides  out  of  town  with  Mr.  Hunt. 


138  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

3.  Tuesday.  Moderate.  Bro.  Mitchell  comes  with  his 
son  Stephen,  a  sweet  youth.     The  Court  meet. 

7.  Saturday.  Cold.  Mess.  Pullen  and  Osgood  dine 
with  me. 

8.  Sunday.  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mitchell  dine  with  me, 
and  begin  upon  Murray's  plan  after  dinner. 

9.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  extreme  cold.  Mitchell  at 
the  Club  at  Mr.  Goodale's,  and  shews  Johnson  to  be 
wrong  as  to  his  criticism  on  Addison's  simile  of  the 
Angel. 

11.  Wednesday.  I  go  to  Ipswich  with  Mr.  Sewall  on 
John's  sorrel  horse. 

12.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  raw  cold.  I  return  from 
Ipswich,  and  meet  Dav.  Burnam  of  Amherst  here. 
What  would  I  not  have  given  to  have  missed  him  ! 
"  Of  te,  Bollaney  cerebri  fe  lie  em,  aiebam  tacitus." 

13.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold.  Hay  from  Ipswich.  I 
send  the  letters  to  Mr.  Cockle  by  Stanley. 

15.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  O.  reads  at  church  ; 
present  Mr.  Fisher. 

17.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  In  the  evening  a  rout  of 
ladies,  etc.,  at  Mrs.  Cabot's.     Pope  Joan. 

19.  Thursday.  I  carry  John  to  Cambridge  with  his 
new  horse  ;  find  the  weather  very  cold.  Thence  I  go 
to  Boston  ;  lodge  at  Mr.  Higginson's ;  dined  at  New- 
hall's  with  Commissary  Daland. 

20.  Friday.  A  fine  day  indeed  !  Mr.  O.  sets  out 
this  morning  for  Providence.  I  meet  Father  Kent :  tho. 
80,  he  is  alert  and  gay  as  if  but  18.  I  return  by  Chel- 
sea ;  dine  at  Newhall's  with  Capt.  Fiske,  and  am  highly 
entertained  with  his  raptures  as  to  the  education  of  his 
children  at  Boston. 

21.  Saturday.  A  moderate  day;  cloudy  and  a  little 
rain.     The  family  are  all  invited  to  dine  at  Mr.  Wet- 


1782.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  139 

more's  on  the  25th,  but  are  all  engaged.     Mr.  W.  ex- 
pects company  from  Boston. 

22.  Sunday.  Mr.  Greenwood  and  Templeman  in  my 
pew  at  church.  We  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Wet- 
more's,  with  him  and  lady  only. 

23.  Monday.  Moderate  fair  weather.  I  return  the 
library  books  save  only  a  volume  of  plays,  and  I  take  out 
3  volumes  of  Shakespeare. 

24.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  pleasant.  Mr.  Bartlett  goes 
to  Danvers  for  Mrs.  Orne ;  brings  her,  and  they  go  to 
Mrs.  Barton's  to  see  the  young  misses  dance. 

25.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine,  clear  day.  The  church 
very  much  crowded  with  well-dressed  people.  Mr. 
Fisher  movingly  addressed  the  people  of  his  church  and 
congregation  in  the  close  of  his  sermon,  relating  [to] 
their  conduct,  their  morals  and  profession  as  Christians, 
exhorting  them  to  sobriety  and  decency  of  behaviour  on 
the  solemn  and  joyful  occasion.  In  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's,  and  sup  there  ;  a  large  company. 

26.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  Bartlett's  horse 
is  brought  to  my  stable,  and  Foster  tends  him.  All 
hands  at  Mr.  Goodale's  in  the  evening.  It  rains  hard 
and  is  exceeding  dark. 

27.  Friday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Temple  return  to  Boston. 

28.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Brother  Stephen 
Sewall  and  Major  Orne  come  over,  and  go  to  see  the 
new  Assembly  Room,  and  admire  it  (as  politeness  re- 
quires), but  can  say  little  in  favour  of  the  drawing-rooms, 
save  that  they  serve  as  foils  to  the  great  room.  In  the 
evening  Dr.  Putnam  and  Mr.  Noyes  are  here. 

29.  Sunday.  Clear,  windy,  and  very  cold.  Mr.  T.  is 
distracted,  and  runs  about  [the]  streets,  and  declines 
going  home. 


140  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [January, 

31.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Bartlett,  with  his 
horse  and  carriage,  brings  home  son  John  from  college. 

1783.  yanuary  1.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  very  cold. 
A  concert  in  the  evening  in  the  new  Assembly  Room  ; 
a  dance  for  the  young  gentry  at  Mrs.  Pickman's.  Da. 
Sears  in  town,  and  called  on  me. 

2.  Thursday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Musick  at 
the  Assembly  Room  :  2  fiddles,  F.  horn,  and  drum. 
These  and  the  assembly  engross  the  conversation  and 
attention  of  the  young  and  gay ;  the  elders  shake  their 
heads  with,  What  are  we  coming  to  ?  D.  Sears  calls 
again  ;  hopes  for  1/2  in  Feb'y,  as  bills  may  now  be  had 
cheap.     A  private  dance  preparatory  to  the  assembly. 

7.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wet- 
more,  Winthrop,  Livingston  and  co.  return  to  Boston. 
Fine  sledding;  the  street  is  so  fill'd  with  sleds,  etc.,  of 
wood  that  there  was  scarce  any  passing.  A  dance  at 
Bro.  Goodale's  in  the  evening. 

8.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  but  very  cold. 
Grafton,  Jno.  and  co.  go  to  dance  at  Endicot's  ;  return 
at  12. 

9.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  very  cold.  A  dance  at 
Grafton's. 

1 1.  Saturday.  Snows  all  day  ;  clears  up  at  night,  and 
all  go  to  shovelling  paths  in  order  for  meeting  to- 
morrow. 

12.  Sunday.  The  snow  is  deep  and  much  drifted  in 
the  streets.  Two  sleighs  come  in  from  Lynn  with  the 
help  of  footmen  shovelling,  etc.,  [and]  arrive  here  about 
2  p.  m.  Mr.  Noyes,  Bartlett,  S.  Orne,  Oliver  and  ux., 
here  in  the  evening. 

13.  Monday.  Ste.  Sewall  here.  Wind  So.  all  day; 
considerable  thaw.  I  go  to  Mr.  Fisher's  at  12.  A  dance 
at  H.  Derby's  ;  Bartlett  and  Jno.  both  lame,  but  must 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  141 

go.    The  glass  chandelier  for  the  Assembly  Room  comes 
from  Boston. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning;  pleasant  and  warm. 
A  dance  at  Mrs.  Pickman's. 

15.  Wednesday.  A  fine  morning;  clear  and  cold. 
Music  and  dancing  engross  the  whole  conversation  of 

the  town. 

16.  Thursday.  Very  cold.  There  are  about  90  per- 
sons at  the  assembly :  41  ladies  and  28  gentlemen  draw 
for  dancing  ;  the  rest  repair  to  [the]  gaming-table,  and 
Dr.  S.'s  partner  has  no  luck,  no  trumps,  yet  the  Dr. 
loseth,  and  he  gains. 

17.  Friday.  Concert,  —220  tickets.  P.  Barnard  and 
Prince  there  till  the  dancing  begins. 

18.  Saturday.    Cloudy  ;  wind  So.   The  sledding  grows 

bad. 

19.  Sunday.  Clear.  At  Mr.  Fisher's  with  Mr.  Wet- 
more  and  co.,  Oliver,  etc.  I  go  to  church  all  day  ;  mi- 
rum  ! 

20.  Monday.  Clear  and  warm.  Dance  at  S.  Blyths'. 
Maid  Hannah  grows  better.  Dr.  Manning  comes,  and 
is  to  call  again  next  week  and  settle. 

21.  Tuesday.      The    Salisbury   parties   come   to    the 

reference. 

22.  Wednesday.  Cold.  Meeting  of  referees  at  Webb's. 
I  catch  cold  in  his  great  room.  S.  Sewall,  Esqr.,  lodged 
at  my  house.     A  dance  at  the  Tradesmen's  Hall. 

23.  Thursday.  Clear,  cool ;  fine  sledding.  I  write  to 
N.  Sparhawk,  and  send  my  former  letter  of  the  3d  inst. 
F.  Mason's  dance  at  B.  store.  Sarah  goes  off  in  a  sleigh 
with  10  others.  On  trial,  my  horse  eats  swill  and  does 
all  things  that  Dr.  Barnard's  can,  except  the  picking  of 
bones,  which  his  does  as  well  as  any  dog. 

24.  Friday.     Cloudy,  cold  morning.     Most  excellent 


142  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

sledding,  but,  like  other  good  things,  of  very  short  dura- 
tion. A  concert  at  the  assembly  house  for  the  poor. 
Patty  and  O.  go  and  dance  till  12  o'clock. 

25.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning  ;  wind  S. 
W.  Jealousies,  slanders,  envying,  among  several  of  the 
assembly  folk.  Parties  are  forming,  and  a  little  more 
tattling  and  imprudence  throw  the  whole  into  confu- 
sion. Majr.  Swasey  and  D.  Spofford  sang  there  ;  Mr. 
Greenwood  and  Mrs.  White  dance  after  the  concert. 
About  .  .  .  tickets  were  purchased  at  6/9,  chiefly  for  the 
benefit  of  the  poor. 

28.  Tuesday.  At  evening,  snow.  An  exhibition  at 
Bartlett's  school ;  his  scholars  rehearsed  the  Distracted 
Mother  by  way  of  trial  for  Friday  evening.  A  dance  at 
H.  Whites. 

29.  Wednesday.  Snows.  An  assembly  at  night  ; 
about  100  persons  of  both  sexes ;  but  two  or  three 
strangers. 

30.  Thursday.  Dr.  Hill  from  Cambridge  with  a  letter 
from  Miss  Wendell  to  Patty  Pynchon. 

31.  Friday.  A  clear  day,  and  very  cold;  fine  sled- 
ding again.  In  the  evening  several  exhibitions  at  Mr. 
Bartlett's  school  ;  Distracted  Mother  was  the  principal. 
Musick,  2  fiddles  and  a  drum  ;  a  crowded  audience. 
The  performances  taken  together  gave  much  entertain- 
ment to  60  or  70  persons  ;  it  is  since  said  to  an  100. 

February  1.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold  ;  extraordi- 
nary sledding. 

2.  Sunday.  Very  cold  yet.  People's  faces  are  nearly 
frozen  in  coming  from  church.  Mr.  Fisher  had  both 
sermons  upon  Agur's  prayer,  which  appeared  to  him  to 
shew  a  very  selfish  disposition. 

3.  Monday.  Clear  and  exceeding  cold  still ;  cover'd 
roots  and  all  freeze  in  the  cellar  last  night.     Nothing 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  143 

done  to-day  by  the  privateersmen,  sailors,  etc.,  but 
sleighing  and  frolicking.  Mrs.  Wetmore  spends  [the] 
evening  here ;  Mr.  W.  gone  to  Boston. 

4.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  and  more  moderate  than  it  was. 
The  sledding  is  good  yet.  All  preparing  for  frolicking  ; 
Grafton  and  co.  and  Jno.  go  p.  m.  to  Endicot's  for  dan- 
cing.    No  meat  in  the  market  to-day. 

5.  Wednesday.  Rain  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Mr.  Warren  and 
Pickman  here  at  tea. 

6.  Thursday.  Cloudy  ;  some  rain  and  a  little  snow. 
Mr.  Warren  breakfasts  here  ;  they  all  dine  at  G.  Wil- 
liams' ;  mirum  !  And  more  so  that  he  treats  them 
civilly.  Templeman  and  Grafton  go  to  Newburyport, 
and  leave  Mrs.  Lawless  in  the  dumps. 

7.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  and  moderate.  Mr. 
O.  and  family  with  Mrs.  Lawless.  Bartlett,  etc.,  dine 
here  on  alamode  beef. 

8.  Saturday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Dr.  Holyoke  and 
Mr.  Noyes  here  [in]  the  evening;  Noyes  at  tea. 

9.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Five  children 
baptized  at  church.  It  snows  ;  wind  N.  E.  Mr.  Good- 
ale,  Mr.  O.  and  family,  spend  the  evening  with  us. 

11.  Tuesday.  Good  sledding.  Mr.  Dunbar  and  a 
large  company  here  part  of  the  evening.  Capt.  Carnes 
here  a.  m.,  having  lately  returned  from  N.  York,  where 
he  was  treated  with  the  greatest  hospitality  and  kind- 
ness at  Mr.  Walter's  house,  who  obtained  his  liberty 
on  promise  of  returning  a  prisoner. 

12.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  thaws.  Assembly  and 
dancing  for  the  night  coming  engross  all  the  conversation. 
[Mrs.  Wetmore]  here  at  tea,  and  all  but  Mr.  Orne  and  I 
go  to  the  assembly,  and  return  seasonably,  some  at  1 1, 
others  by  12  o'clock.  Several  offences  were  given  by 
the  young  misses  to  the  elderly  gentlemen.    There  were 


144  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

about  80  ladies,  and  between  40  and  50  gentlemen,  sev- 
eral from  Boston. 

13.  Thursday.  A  fine,  moderate  morning;  it  froze 
a  little.  We  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Wetmore's,  and 
sup  there  with  Mr.  G.  and  family. 

14.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  The  sledding  is 
nearly  gone,  but  there  was  a  flight  of  snow  last  night, 
and  its  freezing  may  revive  it.  P.  is  told  by  Mr.  O.  to 
her  face  that  she  is  not  handsome,  which  was  repeated  in 
presence  of  his  brother  S.  ;  but  she  bore  it  with  patience 
and  an  excellent  temper.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  to-day 
from  Boston.     We  are  at  Dr.  Holyoke's  in  the  evening. 

17.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  thaw  continues  still.  Mr. 
Templeman  here.  Jno.  sets  out  for  Cambridge  on  horse- 
back, with  letter  of  excuse  to  President  and  tutors,  that 
he  was  detained  by  me  since  the  last  vacation.  This 
morning  I  sent  to  the  library  3  vols,  [of]  Shakespeare 
and  one  of  plays.     H.  Derby  lost  his  cause. 

20.  TJiiLrsday.  A  fine,  pleasant,  spring-like  day. 
Concert  and  dance  at  Assembly  Room.  Thos.  Dwight 
comes. 

21.  Friday.  A  very  fine  day,  and  it  brings  us  very 
fine  news,  —  the  King's  speech,  intimating  to  the  Par- 
liament that  the  negociations  for  peace  will  probably  be 
soon  completed  (one  article  only  remaining  for  settle- 
ment), and  he  recommends  to  his  subjects  the  settling 
treaties  of  commerce  with  the  Americans.  Jno.  sets  out 
with  Eben.  Putnam  for  Cambridge,  and  the  boy  returns 
at  night. 

22.  Saturday.  Mr.  Dwight  sets  out  for  Boston.  Mr. 
Bartlett  complains  of  consumptive  disorders. 

23.  Sunday.  Mr.  Bentley  at  church.  Mr.  Bartlett's 
complaints  increase. 

24.  Monday.  Clear,  fine  morning.  Sent  word  to  Mr. 
Gannet  by  B.  Pickman. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  145 

25.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning  ;  severe  flash  of 
lightning  with  thunder  last  evening.  Mr.  Bartlett  can't 
well  bear  motion  of  horse  or  carriage. 

26.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne 
came  from  Danvers,  and  Sally  Higginson  from  Boston 
last  evening  ;  all  hands  for  Assembly  ! 

27.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Bartlett  grows 
anxious  as  his  illness  increases. 

March  2.  Sunday.  Very  cool,  but  fair.  Parson 
Fisher  preacheth  up  industry,  and  tells  us  St.  Paul  was 
a  tent  maker,  a  good  workman,  at  least  an  industrious 
man,  and  made  tents,  when  he  had  leisure,  to  support 
himself.     Bartlett  returns  from  Cambridge. 

3.  Monday.  Fine,  cool,  clear  morning.  Bartlett  and 
Mrs.  Pynchon  go  to  see  Mrs.  Dodge  at  Beverly ;  return 
at  night. 

4.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  raw ;  cold  snow  air.  Mr. 
Rogers  here.  Templeman  and  P.  Fisher  are  affronted 
with  me.     What  shall  I  do  ?     A.  Hold  your  tongue. 

5.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cool.  I  rose  at  5  this 
morning  and  made  the  fires  for  the  servant,  who  has 
often  made  them  for  me  ;  I  felt  gratitude,  and  she 
showed  it.  Mr.  Bartlett  set  out  for  Cambridge  and  re- 
turned in  the  evening. 

6.  Thursday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  A  horse-race  p.  m. 
at  Flint's.  Bartlett  set  out  early  in  the  morning  for  the 
country. 

7.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  and  moderate.  Mr. 
Wetmore  returns  with  Mrs.  W.  and  Lucy. 

8.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate  air.  Templeman 
and  Lawless  go  a-visiting  thro'  the  gardens  and  over  the 
fences,  avoiding  the  street.     Rains  p.  m.  and  at  night. 

9.  Sunday.  Clear.  I  write  to  Mr.  Hichburn  by  Dia- 
mond as  to  the  Glover  affair.     With  Mr.  Williams  and 

10 


146  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [March, 

others  of  the  church,  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Fishers, 
but  he  says  nothing  of  Templeman's  affair,  and  I  am  to 
presume  that  upon  inquiry  and  reflection  matters  appear 
to  him  in  a  very  different  light  than  before.  Capt. 
Warren  there  from  N.  York,  where  he  had  been  prisoner  ; 
he  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  humanity  of  Mr. 
Walter,  [and]  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  [and]  of  his  present 
of  20  guineas  to  the  prisoners  toward  their  expenses  on 
the  road.1 

10.  Monday.  The  wind  excessive  high  last  night  and 
this  morning,  N.  W.  ;  we  find  the  pumps  frozen  very 
hard  this  morning. 

1 2.  Wednesday.  Assembly  ;  a  great  number  of  gen- 
tlemen and  ladies  ;  [several]  of  the  latter  drew  lots  for 
dances  ;  disorders  and  jealousies  increase  ;  Otis,  Amory, 
Pickman,  and  other  collegians  at  the  Assembly  ;  com- 
mon sense  and  decency  might  prevent  all  the  jealousies 
and  disorders  ;  the  fiddler  told  them  that  he  could  dis 
tinguish  an  assembly  from  a  frolick. 

1 3.  Thursday.    A  very  fine  day  ;  the  air  chilly.    Otis,2 

1  The  following  letter  is  from  Judge  Lynde  to  his  son-in-law  Dr.  Walter, 
who  left  the  country  in  1776  :  — 

Salem,  Monday,  May  31st,  1779. 
Revd.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

1  have  the  great  pleasure  of  two  of  yours  of  the  5th  instant ;  received 
the  first  on  Saturday,  the  other  about  an  hour  ago  by  Capt.  Hale.  .  .   . 

Capt.  Hale  is  full  of  your  praise,  and  tells  us  he  is  greatly  obliged  to 
your  kind  interpositions  on  his  behalf,  so  is  Capt.  Ives  also. 

Suffer  me  on  account  of  the  inhuman  treatment  our  prisoners  meet  with 
on  board  your  prison  ships  to  beg  that  you  would  use  your  utmost  en- 
deavors that  some  fresh  air  be  allowed  them. 

It  is  a  most  flagrant  instance  of  cruelty,  as  well  as  a  reproach  to  the 
English  nation,  that  so  many  are  suffered  to  die  in  so  miserable  a  state, 
and  will  be  used  as  an  excuse  for  all  the  hard  things  you  suffer. 

Your  friend  Colo.  Stoddard  died  of  a  feavor  some  time  ago,  and  his 
eldest  and  youngest  son  lately.  God  has  multiplied  his  bereavements  to 
that  family.     May  we  who  are  yet  spared  duly  lay  it  to  heart. 

2  Harrison  Gray  Otis. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  147 

Pickman,  Amory,  and  N.  Ropes  dine  with  Jno.  ;  Jno. 
on  Eb'r.  Putman's  horse  sets  out  with  them  for  Cam- 
bridge.    Snows  at  night. 

16.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  I  am  so  fatigued  with  the 
business  of  Saturday  last  that  I  cannot  go  out,  and  thro' 
application  of  divers,  pretending  necessity  and  mercy,  I 
have  neither  rest  nor  enjoyment  at  home.  The  Glover 
gentlemen  I  parted  with  and  with  their  cause  ;  they 
grew  tedious  and  indecent,  so  I  offered  them  their  fee, 
because  I  would  not  forward  their  suit  against  my  judg- 
ment, and  they  think  themselves  ill-used,  yet  would  not 
take  back  the  fee  ;  tantum  religio  ! 

19.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain  ;  [wind]  N.  W. 
Mr.  Templeman  returns. 

20.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning ;  wind  N.  W. 
More  circumstantial  and  provisional  articles  of  peace 
published,  but  mark  the  letter  from  Parish  intimating 
that  all  is  with  design  to  lull  America,  whilst  Britain  is 
by  sea  vigourously  carrying  on  the  war,  especially  by  her 
cruisers,  on  the  trade  of  the  powers  at  variance  !  This 
day  I  write  to  J.  M.  Sewall  and  N.  Sparhawk,  Esqrs. 

21.  Friday.  Clear,  windy,  and  cold.  Financier  Mor- 
ris proposes  to  resign,  all  seem  displeased  with  him  ;  he 
tells  them  that  he  can't  make  bricks  without  straw  :  they 
answer  that  he  can  as  well  as  any  man  ;  and  for  years 
past  it  surely  hath  been  done  in  every  American  State. 

23.  Sunday.  Snow-storm  ;  wind  N.  E.  By  Grafton 
from  Boston  we  hear  that  't  is  thought  among  the  mer- 
chants that  peace  is  yet  [at]  a  considerable  distance,  and 
that  there  will  be  another  campaign  between  France  and 
England,  but  that  New  York  will  be  soon  evacuated, 
and  no  more  hostilities  in  the  American  field. 

24.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mr.  Bartlett  returns 
from  Cambridge  ;  all  seems  to  go  well  as  to  Jno.  there. 


148  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.         [April, 

25.  Ttiesday.  A  very  fine,  pleasant  morning.  I  write 
to  Gen'l  Warren  J  as  to  Wingate's  matter,  and  yesterday 
sent  a  line  of  the  20th  to  Mr.  Sears  as  to  Amsterdam 
affairs.  Miss  Sewall  here,  Miss  Gallison,  and  Mrs.  Dove 
and  family. 

26.  Wednesday.  An  exceedingly  fine  and  pleasant 
day.  At  eve.  I  go  to  Marblehead  on  Besom's  affair  with 
Hawkes.  Many  strangers  go  to  the  Assembly  to-night. 
Stevens  goes  to  Boston. 

27.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Grafton  dangerously  ill  ;  her 
symptoms  hectical.     The  robins  appear  on  the  trees. 

28.  Friday.  A  fine,  spring-like  day.  Dr.  Holyoke 
and  ux.  and  daughter  here  in  the  evening  ;  Mrs.  Pynchon 
in  low  spirits  and  keeps  to  chamber.  Jno.  went  to  Cam- 
bridge in  the  morning  and  returned  at  tea,  and  [was] 
3^  hours  in  coming  ;  but  the  poor  horse  thanks  him  not 
for  all  the  fine  stories  of  his  exploits. 

29.  Saturday.  A  cloudy  but  spring-like  morning. 
Veal  in  the  market !  but  very  scarce. 

31.  Monday.  Cloudy.  I  ask  Capt.  Derby  whether 
he  would  have  Henderson  wrote  to  for  Davis'  money  ; 
yes,  says  he  ;  accordingly  I  write. 

Aptil  1.   Tuesday.     I  set  out  for  Ipswich  Court. 

2,  3,  4.     Clear  and  cool. 

5.  Saturday,  a.  m.  The  Court  adjourns  to  4,  Tuesday. 
As  we  sit  down  to  dine,  rejoicing  that  the  Court  had  ad- 
journed, comes  in  hand-bill  from  Salem  per  Capt.  Derby, 
in  22  days  from  France,  with  a  confirmation  of  the 
news  of  peace  ;  O  quanti  complexus  et  gaudia  quanta 
fuere  !  Gen'l  F.2  almost  shook  our  arms  off  with  "  I  give 

1  General  James  Warren  was  of  Plymouth.  He  was  made  Paymaster- 
General  in  1775,  and  afterward  Major-General  of  the  militia.  He  succeeded 
General  Joseph  Warren  as  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  He 
married  Mercy,  a  sister  of  James  Otis. 

2  Genera)  Michael  Farley  seems  to  have  been  a  prominent  citizen  of 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  149 

you  joy  !  joy  !  gentlemen,  all,"  etc.  Nunc  est  bibendum, 
nunc  pede  libero  pulsanda  tcllus  !  In  our  return  for 
Salem  we  all  call  at  Justice  Porter's,  who  treats  us  with 
a  glass  of  egg  pop  upon  his  taking  the  oaths  of  Justice, 
and  we  dub  him  Squire  Porter,  and  almost  shake  his 
arms  off,  in  imitation  of  Gen'l  F. 

6.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  day.  More  news. 
I  go  to  church  all  day. 

8.  Tuesday.  Cool  and  clear.  Mr.  Osgood  and  I  go 
to  see  Mr.  Orne,  and  return  at  evening. 

9.  Wednesday.  Very  fine  morning.  N.  Sparhawk 
comes  to  town  with  his  son  and  lodges  here.  Gen'l 
Howe,  Mr.  Jackson,  and  a  number  of  strangers  at  the 
Assembly  this  evening. 

10.  Thursday.  Very  fine  morning.  Mr.  Oliver's1 
waggons  come  from  Providence  ;  he  packs  up  his  goods  ; 
it  rains  ;  his  fears  and  our  concern  are  for  Mrs.  O.  who 
is  ill ;  the  family  come  and  lodge  at  my  house.  Bro. 
Stephen  dines  here. 

13.  Sunday.     Clear  and  cold.     After  meeting,  p.  m., 

Ipswich,  and  a  very  useful  one.  He  held  many  offices  of  trust  during  the 
Revolution.  He  was  a  Representative  to  the  General  Court  and  High 
Sheriff,  and  was  afterward  appointed  a  Major-General  of  a  brigade. 

1  Thomas  Fitch  Oliver,  so  often  mentioned  in  this  diary,  was  a  son  of 
Hon.  Andrew  Oliver,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Essex  Court  of  Common 
Pleas.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1775,  and  commenced 
the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  Pynchon,  but  subsequently  abandoned  it  and 
prepared  himself  for  orders  in  the  Episcopal  Church.  While  awaiting 
ordination  he  received  a  letter  from  the  authorities  of  King's  Chapel,  ask- 
ing him  to  be  their  minister.  This  position  he  did  not  accept,  and  he 
afterward,  in  April,  1783,  went  to  Providence  and  officiated  as  lay  reader 
at  St.  John's,  until  the  arrival  of  Bishop  Seabury,  by  whom  he  was  or- 
dained  in  September,  1785.  In  1786  he  went  to  Marblehead  as  rector 
of  St.  Michael's,  remaining  there  until  1792.  He  had  again  no  permanent 
settlement  until  1796  at  St.  Thomas's,  Garrison  Forest,  near  Baltimore, 
where  he  died  in  1797,  at  39  years  of  age.  He  married  a  daughter  of 
William  Pynchon  in  1778. 


150  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

a  little  after  3  o'clock,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  and  2  children 
and  the  maid,  with  Mrs.  Pynchon,  set  out  in  Providence 
stage,  and  I  following  and  overtaking  them  near  New- 
hal's  tavern  in  Lynn,  and  we  stop  at  Wait's  at  Maiden 
and  have  tea.  They  bear  the  ride  well,  considering  they 
go  at  the  rate  of  6^  miles  an  hour  ;  at  sunset  they  set 
out  for  Cambridge,  and  I  lodge  at  Wait's  and  confer 
with  the  warden  on  the  Sabbath  Act  till  1 1  at  night.1 

14.  Monday.  An  exceedingly  fine  day,  and,  if  the 
coach  be  not  driven  too  hard,  all  hands  may  arrive  at 
Providence  to-night. 

15.  Tuesday.  The  fine  weather  continues.  K. 
George's  proclamation  comes  from  New  York  —  Peace  ! 

16.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Mrs.  Orne  walks 
from  Dfanvers]  to  Salem  to  see  me  in  my  state. 

17.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  and  moderate. 
Classmate  Porter  called  to  see  me  and  breakfasted  with 
me  ;  so  much  altered  that  I  could  not  recollect  a  single 
feature  of  his  former  looks. 

18.  Friday.  At  church,  one  service  only.  Mr.  Spar- 
hawk  in  town.     Warm  and  pleasant. 

19.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  At  night  I  find 
that  I  must  look  out  for  an  house  soon. 

20.  Sunday.  At  church  all  day.  All  hands  are  writ- 
ing to  our  friends  at  Providence.  I  write  to  Mr.  Robie 
at  Halifax  ;  I  write  also  to  Mrs.  Cotnam. 

21.  Monday.  [In  the]  morning,  [the]  chambers  being 
full  of  smoke,  I  get  up,  and  find  the  office  floor  burnt 
through  into  the  cellar,  a  hole  4  inches  in  diameter. 

22.  Tuesday.  I  go  with  Mr.  Wetmore  to  Ipswich 
Court. 

1  The  Sabbath  Act  passed  in  October,  1782,  was  more  comprehensive 
than  any  that  was  passed  before,  allowing  the  forcible  detention  of  any 
person  suspected  of  unnecessary  travelling  on  the  Lord's  Day. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  151 

26.  Saturday,  a.  m.,  cloudy  but  moderate.  I  return 
with  Mr.  Osgood.  Rejoicing  at  Beverly  by  firing  of 
cannon. 

27.  Sunday.  Cool  day.  New  wardens  at  church, 
Williams  and  Bar.     I  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

28.  Monday.  Mr.  Bartlett's  scholars,  etc.,  at  the 
Assembly  Room,  and  repeat  the  plays. 

29.  Tuesday.  Rejoicing  at  Ipswich.  Mr.  Bartlett's 
scholars  and  others  exhibit  at  the  Assembly  Room  ;  a 
great  audience. 

30.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Cannon  early  this  morning 
roar  aloud  from  the  wharves  of  Salem,  and  probably  by 
night  the  inhabitants'  windows  and  other  property  may 
be  broken,  plundered,  destroyed. 

May  4.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  morning.  I 
dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mrs.  Higginson  ;  in  the  even- 
ing at  Mr.  Fisher's. 

5.  Monday.  Fine  day  ;  wind  N.  E.,  and  very  dry  yet. 
I  carry  home  Mrs.  Orne,  my  horse,  and  Dr.  Putnam's 
chaise. 

8.  Thursday.  Fair  and  cold  ;  some  rain  at  night. 
Cato  sets  out  the  Pope  beans. 

9.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  drizzling  weather.  Receive 
a  packet  from  S.  Curwen,  Esq.,  London,  of  English 
newspapers,  via  Halifax. 

10.  Saturday.  A  fine,  moderate  rain,  greatly  wanted, 
comes  in  good  time.  I  receive  a  letter  from  Mr.  Oliver 
of  Providence.  Deacon  Gatchell  was  yesterday  morn- 
ing brought  to  jail  for  the  sins  of  Marblehead,  in  with- 
holding the  schoolmaster's  due. 

12.  Monday.  Send  letters  to  Providence  by  W.  Vans. 
Town  meeting  for  Representatives.  Adjournment  of 
Church  meeting  is  to  9th  June,  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

13.  Tuesday.     A  fine,  clear  day.     Mrs.  Goodale  and 


152  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

I  go  to  Mrs.  Orne's,  Danvers.     Bartlett  takes  leave  of 
his  school  and  leaves  them  in  tears. 

15.  Thursday.  Fast  day.  At  night  Dr.  Whitaker 
preacheth  his  old  discourse  on  "  Curse  ye  Meroz"  with 
higher  colourings  than  usual. 

16.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  S.  Osgood  returns  from 
Congress,  embarrassed  there  with  debt  and  dissension. 

17.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  morning.  Veal  is  sold 
at  various  prices,  from  3d  to  6d.  Mr.  Turner  comes 
about  his  school. 

19.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Patty  and  Mrs.  Cabot 
go  to  Boston  ;  Jno.  escorts  them  to  Medford.  Stevens 
tells  me  that  he  has  let  Deacon  Gatchell  go  home,  and 
has  taken  the  risque  on  himself. 

20.  Tuesday.  Clear,  and  very  cool ;  a  fire  scarce 
keeps  one  warm.  Stevens  says  he  has  received  100 
dollars  towards  exonerating  Hawkes  of  Marblehead, 
and  asks  me  whether  he  shall  pay  my  costs  out  of  it ; 
I  decline,  and  tell  him  he  must  settle  with  Hawkes  as 
well  as  he  can. 

22.  Thursday.  I  dine  at  Dr.  Putnam's  with  Mr. 
Orne.     Some  rain  at  night. 

23.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  little  rain  only;  thunder 
and  lightning  at  eve.  I  go  to  Flint's  p.  m.  Tea  at  Mr. 
Cabot's  ;  there  meet  Mrs.  Davis  and  daughter  and  Mrs. 
Holyoke.     Rains  at  night. 

24.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  I  send  my  letter  for  Bro. 
Pynchon  to  Zech.  Foot,  who  is  to  sail  to-morrow  for 
Cape  Pursue.1  Mr.  Turner  came  last  evening  to  town 
with  Miss  Greenleafe. 

25.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  No  church  ;  I  go  to 
hear  Mr.  Eliot  p.  m.  Set  out  for  Boston  and  arrive 
there  at  3  o'clock  ;  lodge  at  Mrs.  Cotton's. 

1  Cape  Fourchu,  or  Fourchi,  off  Yarmouth,  is  probably  the  cape  here 
referred  to. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  153 

26.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  I  go  to  the  Treasurer 
Ivers,  at  7  a.  m.,  to  get  notes  for  Clark's  money,  and 
return  at  evening  and  meet  the  Clubb  at  Mr.  Blaney's, 
and  hear  Beadle's  papers  read. 

27.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  day  ;  wind  N.  E.,  and 
cool.  I  send  by  Mr.  Dane  my  letter  to  Judge  Sewall, 
one  to  Sheriff  Moulton,  and  one  to  Sheriff  Porter  of 
Hadley,  with  execution,  Foster  v.  Churchill.  At  evening 
Mr.  Cunningham  came  and  lodged  here.  I  spend  the 
evening  at  H.  Derby's  with  wedding  company. 

28.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  It  is  Election 
Day,  but  every  person  and  every  thing  one  meets  or  sees 
hath  the  appearance  rather  of  gloom  than  cheerfulness. 
Mr.  Cunningham  observes  it,  [and]  sets  off  for  Boston. 
I  sup  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  with  Mr.  Bowdoin  and  company. 

29.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  warm  day.  I  go 
with  Mrs.  Orne  to  see  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowdoin.  Mr. 
Bartlett  sets  out  for  Boston  with  Mrs.  Cabot,  and  to 
bring  back  Mrs.  Pynchon.  Mr.  Lee  returns  from  Provi- 
dence, and  leaves  Mrs.  Pynchon  at  Cambridge,  being 
afraid  of  passing  the  ferry  to  Boston.  I  spend  the 
evening  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

30.  Friday.  A  warm  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowdoin  set 
out  for  Boston  p.  m.  Mr.  Fisher  returns,  and  at  eve 
Mr.  Bartlett,  with  Mrs.  Pynchon,  from  Cambridge. 

June  1.  Sunday.  A  cold,  N.  E.  wind,  and  my  new 
suit  does  not  keep  me  warm. 

2.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Vessel  at  Boston  from 
London  [with]  letters  from  Mr.  Curwen  to  Mrs.  Curwen 
Ward  ;  I  receive  one  from  Capt.  Foster  ;  Mr.  Cabot 
hath  one  from  his  son. 

3.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Ropes 
takes  the  shop  and  is  moving  out  stove,  etc.,  and  I 
desire  him  to  desist. 


154  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

4.  Wednesday  morning.  He  moves  in  his  goods  be- 
fore I  get  up.    Mr.  Bartlett  was  taken  ill  of  the  measles. 

5.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Bartlett  grows 
worse  ;  his  fever  is  very  high  ;  has  purple  spots  on  his 
arm. 

7.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  fine  rain.  I  send  a  letter 
by  Mr.  Mange  and  desire  an  answer,  on  his  return,  from 
Tho.  Ruggles  Pynchon  or  Sarah  Pynchon,  N.  York  or 
Guilford.     I  dine  at  Mr.  Orne's. 

8.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Capt.  West  sails  for 
Virginia  and  Europe  ;  by  him  I  write  to  Capt.  Foster 
and  to  Mr.  Curwen.  Mr.  Bartlett's  fever  abates,  the 
purple  spots  are  gone  off.  See  Billy  Cabot's  letter  to 
Mr.  Goodale,  in  which  he  shows  a  benevolent  and  virtu- 
ous disposition,  rarely  found  in  one  so  young. 

10.  Tuesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mellen,  Mr.  Mackey  and 
Mrs.  Mackey  dine  here. 

11.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Jo.  Jane  brings  us 
account  that  Mr.  O.  and  Sally  are  on  the  road  hither,  and 
may  reach  Salem  to-night.  I  have  a  letter  from  Colo. 
Worthington  respecting  Colo.  Browne  and  Blaney's  deeds 
of  lands  at  Wilbraham.  Wheatly  tells  at  Boston  that  Gov. 
Hutchinson1  killed  himself  in  England,  having  cut  his 
throat ;  this  account  S.  Page,  the  Representative,  brings 
home  from  Gen.  Court,  and  either  is  silly  enough  to  be- 
lieve it  (as  he  says  he  does),  or  roguish  enough  to  pre- 
tend so,  in  order  to  keep  up  his  popularity  ;  accordingly 
he  is  become  popular  in  proportion  to  this  auto  de  fe,  or 
pretence,  and  having  given  it  out  at  the  barber's  shop, 
present,  T.  Cabot,  Esqr.  (whose  son  is  in  England  for  his 
health),  says  (A.  Richardson  there  present  also),  "  and 
so  will  all  the  absentees  cut  their  throats  ;  "  lo,  an  emblem 

1  Governor  Hutchinson  died  suddenly,  June  3,  1780.  See  Hutchinson's 
Diary,  ii.  353. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  155 

of  patriotic  spirits  !  an  emblem  of  the  times  !  Wheatly  ! 
Richardson  !  Page  !  are  popular  men,  and  will  become 
honourable  men,  so  far  as  .  .  .  and  .  .  .  can  make  them 
so  in  such  times  ! 

12.  Thursday.  A  fine  shower  of  rain  this  morning 
[at]  3  o'clock  ;  the  air  is  close  and  muggy.  Mr.  Bart- 
lett's  fever  returns. 

13.  Friday.  Mr.  Bartlett  slept  well,  and  is  refreshed 
and  appears  somewhat  better,  perhaps  the  effects  of 
anodynes.  It  rains  finely  this  morning;  rains  moder- 
ately. Mr.  Bartlett  grows  better.  Mrs.  Richards  calls 
on  us  to  take  leave  ;  she  is  bound  hence  with  Alcock 
and  family  for  Philadelphia,  he  going  to  Baltimore.  I 
receive  letter  and  catalogue  of  books  from  Mr.  Curwen, 
London. 

14.  Saturday.  Rain.  Mr.  Bartlett's  brother  and 
sister  come  and  find  him  better. 

15.  Sunday.  Rains  p.  m.  (finely  indeed).  Mr.  Noyes 
and  Dr.  A.  Putnam  here  at  tea. 

16.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  call  with  Mr. 
Pullen  to  see  Mr.  Bartlett,  and  find  him  weak  and  fever- 
ish.    Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from  Boston. 

1 7.  Tuesday.  I  set  out  for  Ipswich,  and  am  overtaken 
at  the  ferry  by  Mr.  Sewall  [of]  Marblehead. 

19.  Thursday.  I  return  from  Ipswich  Court,  to  re- 
turn again  on  Saturday  morning. 

20.  Friday.  Very  warm  ;  p.  m.,  severe  thunder  and 
lightning ;  W.  Luscomb's  house  is  struck. 

21.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  something  wet.  At  night 
I  return  from  Court. 

27.  Friday.  Mr.  Sprague  and  Lincoln  here.  Perkins 
hangs  himself  at  Capt.  Mackey's,  and  is  cut  down  and 
saved. 

29.  Sunday.     Warm.     Mr.  Fisher   preacheth   to-day 


156  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

at  Marblehead.  Mr.  Bentley  at  Mr.  Prince's  a.  m.  I  go 
to  Mr.  Barnard's  p.  m.  Jno.  Williams  comes  with  Mrs. 
Williams  to  Salem  ;  he  is  Representative  from  Deerfield. 

30.  Monday.  A  warm  sun,  but  cool  east  wind.  Jno. 
Williams  dines  here  with  me. 

July  1.  Tuesday.  Warm  sun,  but  cool  east  wind. 
Jno.  Williams  dines  with  me.  The  soldiers  disturb 
Congress  and  they  decamp. 

2.  Wednesday.     J.  Williams  goes  to  Boston. 

3.  Thursday.  Great  expectations  of  fire- works  at 
Boston  ;  partur.  monies.  Mr.  Bartlett's  brother  comes 
about  his  affairs. 

4.  Friday.  Mr.  Bartlett's  brother  went  to  Boston  ; 
son  John  and  Mansfield  also,  and  returned  p.  m. 

5.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Sent  up  my  horse  to 
Mr.  Orne's  by  his  boy. 

12.  Saturday.     Patty  dines  here  with  the  Court. 

13.  Stmday.  Gov'r.  Bowen  of  Providence  in  Salem, 
also  Mr.  Clarke. 

15.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine,  cool  day.  p.  m.,  I  set  out 
with  Mr.  G.  Abbot  in  his  carriage  for  Boston,  and 
thence,  on  Wednesday  morning,  I  go  through  Roxbury 
to  Commencement.  I  do  not  recollect  so  fine  a  day, 
nor  the  meeting-house  to  be  filled  with  a  company  better 
dressed  ;  I  see  there  my  classmate  Dr.  Cooper.1 

16.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  day.  I  breakfast  at 
Boston.  I  go  up  to  Cambridge  in  the  Governor's  troop, 
and,  in  getting  out  of  the  chaise  by  Dr.  Kneeland,  nar- 
rowly escape  being  run  down  by  the  horsemen,  and  had 
my  foot  much  bruised,  and  so  lost  much  of  the  comfort 
of  Commencement.     Colo.  Worthington  is  at  Boston. 

17.  Thursday.  Morning  very  cool.  Get  up  at  half 
after  four  in  the  morning  and  reach  Salem  at  1 1  a.  m. 

1  Rev.  Samuel  Cooper. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  157 

18.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Jno.  returns  from 
Cambridge. 

20.  Sunday.  A  very  fine  day.  I  am  still  confined 
by  my  lame  foot ;  an  old  man  go  a-frolicking  ! 

22.  Tuesday.  A  warm  morning  ;  thunder,  and  very 
warm  p.  m.  Mrs.  Hendy  was  buried  ;  is  carried  into 
church,  and  a  sermon  preached. 

23.  Wednesday.  Cool  and  cloudy  ;  wind  N.  Mr. 
Osgood  from  Congress  spends  the  evening  here. 

25.  Friday.  Hot  in  the  morning ;  p.  m.,  thunder, 
lightning,  and  rain,  and  the  air  grows  cool.  Dr.  Holyoke 
and  Noyes  here  in  the  evening,  also  Patty. 

26.  Saturday.  A  cloudy  and  cool  morning.  Have 
a  peacock  from  Mr.  Browne  of  Virginia. 

27.  Sunday.  Cool  and  pleasant  day.  Our  peacock 
goes  off  before  we  are  up. 

28.  Monday.  A  very  fine  day.  The  peacock  is 
brought  home. 

30.  Wednesday.  I  set  out  for  Providence ;  at  Rox- 
bury  am  overtaken  in  a  shower ;  dine  at  Dr.  Williams', 
and  lodge  there. 

31.  Thursday.  At  9  in  the  evening  I  arrive  at  the 
glebe  of  Mr.  Oliver. 

August  1.  Friday.  Dine  at  Mr.  Oliver's,  and  p.  m.  go 
to  Providence,  and  take  tea  at  Mr.  Hitchcock's. 

2.  Saturday.  Dine  with  Mr.  Hitchcock  at  Mr.  Oliver's, 
and  in  the  afternoon  go  to  town  and  see  the  college  and 
the  President.  Drink  tea  at  Mr.  Olney's  ;  call  at  Mr. 
Clark's. 

3.  Sunday.  Go  to  church.  Dine  very  genteelly  at 
Mr.  Bourn's  ;  tea  at  Mr.  Hitchcock's  ;  call  at  Mr.  Mum- 
ford's. 

4.  Monday.  A  fine  morning.  Mr.  Oliver  and  I  go 
to  Providence  and  ride  round  to  the  spring,  [from]  which 


158  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

we  have  a  very  fine  prospect  of  the  college  and  whole 
town. 

5.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cloudy  morning.  At  half  after 
5  in  the  morning  I  set  out  for  Salem  ;  meet  Jos.  Lee 
going  into  Providence  on  business  of  creeds  ;  lodge  at 
Ames',  Dedham  ;  met  at  Attleboro  with  the  two  Hol- 
mans  going  to  R.  Island  for  their  brother  Hastie,  who  is 
ill  there,  and  lately  returned  from  N.  York  with  his  young 
child.  Ah,  Jammy,  is  the  D.  of  Argyl  yet  alive  !  Hol- 
man  took  with  him  a  recommendation  from  the  Select- 
men of  Salem,  and  from  others,  certifying  Mr.  Hastie's 
conduct  as  to  American  matters.  Query,  whether  it  was 
of  avail  to  save  Jammy  ? 

6.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool  morning ;  cloudy  till  9. 
I  set  out  for  Ames'  at  7  ;  get  to  ferry  at  twelve,  and  to 
Salem  at  6  o'clock,  and  find  letters  from  refugees,  and 
brother  Mitchell  ill  at  my  house. 

7.  Thursday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Mrs.  Car- 
penter tells  me  that  the  money  and  gold  ring  which  I 
left  with  her  for  Mr.  Carpenter,1  as  the  legacy  given 
him,  were  all  right  and  well,  and  that  he  would  give 
me  a  receipt  for  them. 

8.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  Foster  Hutchinson  comes  to 
Boston  harbour,  and  at  first  is  not  allowed  to  come  into 
town.  Jno.  Williams  writes  that  at  town  meeting  at 
Deerfield  Mr.  Williams  is  chosen  Representative  again 
by  the  vote  of  all  but  one  at  the  meeting ;  thus  we  act 
and  thus  we  are.  The  dissenter  was  his  good  friend, 
who  acted  prudentially  and  not  inimically. 

9.  Saticrday.  Rain,  thunder,  and  lightning  last  night, 
and    cloudy    and    cold    this    morning.     Jno.    Williams 

1  Benjamin  Carpenter  married  Nabby,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Gerrish 
and  granddaughter  of  the  first  John  Cabot.  She  died  in  Cambridge 
November  3,  1802,  without  issue. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  159 

comes  ;  Deerfield  resents  his  expulsion  and  is  for  re- 
turning the  tax  bill  as  the  Representative  is  returned, 
but  Williams  dissuades  them. 

10.  Sunday.  At  church  p.  m.  Mr.  G.  Jeffry  at 
church,  and  sups  with  us,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore,  and 
Dr.  Holyoke ;  he  tells  us  that  the  news  of  Foster  Hutch- 
inson being  at  Boston  from  Halifax  is  not  true.  Yester- 
day S.  Gerrish  1  calls  as  to  Cabot's  affairs. 

11.  Monday.  A  cloudy  but  pleasant  day.  Jno.  Wil- 
liams and  ux.  return  to  Deerfield.  It  rains  at  night. 
Deerfield  instructs  the  Representative,  and  show  in  them 
some  resentment  of  the  treatment  from  some  of  the 
members  of  the  House  on  the  hearing  of  the  Represen- 
tative. 

15.  Friday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mr.  Lowell  comes  to 
town. 

16.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Jno.  goes  to  Marblehead, 
and  thence  with  Bro.  Stephen,  Mitchell  and  co.  to  Flax 
Pond. 

17.  Snnday.  A  fine  morning.  I  go  with  Mrs.  P.  up 
to  Mr.  Orne's  to  see  them  in  their  illness.  [The]  even- 
ing spent  at  Mr.  Cabot's  with  Mr.  Lowell. 

18.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning.  Dr.  Putnam  goes  up 
to  Danvers  with  my  horse,  and  [I]  send  the  lemons  and 
oranges,  etc.,  by  him. 

19.  Tttesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  go  out  of  town  ; 
a  wild  horse. 

20.  Wednesday.  Warm.  I  go  to  Danvers  with  Mrs. 
Goodale  a.  m. 

23.  Saturday.  Hot.  Dine  with  A.  Oliver  at  Mr. 
Goodale's  ;  he  could  eat  nothing  for  the  heat. 

24.  Sunday.  So  very  hot,  few  go  to  church,  p.  m., 
I  tarry  at  home  thro'  the  heat. 

1  Samuel,  son  of  Benjamin  Gerrish  and  Margaret,  daughter  of  the  first 
John  Cabot. 


160  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

26.  Tuesday.  Cold  N.  E.  wind,  and  cloudy.  Capt. 
Webb  is  not  gone  yet  to  Boston  with  Mr.  Deblois' 
goods. 

27.  Wednesday.  Received  a  line  from  Stephen  De- 
blois. Bro.  Mitchell  returns  in  good  spirits  to  Ports- 
mouth by  way  of  Gloucester.  Sent  Dr.  Kast's  acct.  by 
Jno.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  to  commissioners  at  Portsmouth. 

30.  Saturday.  [In]  morning  I  go  to  Mr.  Turner's  D. 
School. 

31.  Sunday.  Fine  morning  ;  p.  m.,  cloudy,  and  rain 
after  church.  Evening  at  T.  Cabot's,  and  hear  of  a 
proposal  of  [a]  college,  bishop,  etc.,  for  Halifax. 

September  1.  Moiiday.  A  cool  day.  The  Club  at 
my  house,  and  we  sit  by  a  brisk  fire  all  the  evening ; 
grand  account  of  harbour  of  Port  Roseway,  and  of  the 
intents  of  England  to  encourage  [the]  settlement  of  this 
and  other  parts  of  No.  Scotia ;  of  [the]  college,  etc.,  to 
be  built  there  and  to  be  endowed.1    Jno.  goes  to  Nahant. 

2.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  N.  Sparhawk, 
Esq.,2  gone  to  Boston,  and  is  to  call  next  Thursday  and 
dine  with  me  if  he  can. 

4.  Thursday.  Colo.  Gallison  here.  Mr.  Sparhawk 
passeth  on  to  Portsmouth. 

5.  Friday.  Mr.  Turner  brings  his  two  sons  to  the 
dancing-school. 

8.  Monday.  Mr.  Tucker  in  town,  and  by  him  I  send 
to  Mr.  Parsons,  Newbury,  Mr.  Wingate's  papers. 

1  The  plan  here  referred  to,  and  first  suggested  by  the  loyalist  clergy 
of  New  York  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the 
present  King's  College,  at  Windsor,  the  leading  university  in  Nova 
Scotia. 

2  Nathaniel  Sparhawk  was  the  son  of  Colonel  Nathaniel  Sparhawk, 
who  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  the  second  Sir  William  Pepperrell. 
He  was  born  in  August,  1744,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1765. 
He  married  first  his  cousin  Katy,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Sparhawk,  and 
secondly  Elizabeth  Bartlett  of  Haverhill,  and  thirdly  a  Miss  Parker.  He 
died  in  1814. 


I783-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  l6l 

9.  Tuesday.  Rain.  Billy  Newhall  brings  home  my 
horse  from  Mr.  Orne,  and  I  send  him  to  pasture  at  Mr. 
Phelps's  by  Zack.  Bray.     Mrs.  Pynchon  taken  ill. 

13.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  goes  to 
Boston  and  returns  with  Mrs.  Waldo  at  night.  Mrs. 
Wetmore  spends  part  of  the  afternoon  with  Mrs.  Pyn- 
chon, who  grows  a  little  better.  Dr.  Loring  and  I  dine 
at  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  he  returns  with  Mr.  Turner. 

14.  Sunday.  Stevens  returned  from  Andover  last 
evening  very  ill ;  sets  out  again  Monday  for  Andover, 
and  returns  on  Tuesday. 

15.  Moiiday.     Mrs.  Wetmore  taken  ill. 

17.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  day.  Billy  Wetmore 
taken  ill.  Town  meeting  as  to  petition  for  removing  the 
Courts. 

18.  Thursday.  Wm.  Webb  calls  on  Stevens  for  cop- 
ies and  declares  war  against  me,  and  threatens  to  appear 
at  Newbury  Court. 

23.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  day.  Judge  Lee,1  Capt. 
Newhall,  and  Mrs.  Newhall  come  to  town. 

24.  Wednesday.  Ordination  Day.  Mr.  Bentley  and 
Mr.  Parker  in  town  ;  Dwight,  Amory,  Williams,  [and] 
Mr.  James.  Mr.  Parker  marks  Fr.'s  story  about  Mr.  S. 
as  to  the  visit  and  misunderstanding. 

25.  Thursday.  Mr.  Fr.  tells  Mr.  Parker  that  he  de- 
signedly went  from  home  to  see  whether  Mr.  S.  would 
admit  him  to  be  pot  or  kettle,  as  he  said  he  was. 

27.  Saturday.  Rain.  Jona.  Mansfield  is  seen  at 
neighbour  Glover's  shop,  and  tells  Mr.  Goodale  that  he 
has  been  at  my  office,  and  that  I  will  not  settle  with 
him,  and  will  force  him  into  Court. 

29.  Monday.  I  went  with  Stevens  to  Danvers  upon 
Moriarty's  affairs. 

!  Judge  Joseph  Lee,  who  married  Rebecca  Phips.     He  was  a  moderate 
loyalist  and  a  brother  of  Hon.  Thomas  Lee. 
11 


1 62  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

30.  Tuesday.  [In]  morning  early  I  set  out  for  New- 
bury Court,  and  arrive  at  noon  ;  dine  at  Mrs.  Leath- 
ers', but  being  lame,  remove  nearer  the  court-house  to 
Mr.  Browne's,  through  the  friendly  interposition  of  Bro. 
Parsons. 

October  I.     Wednesday.     Dine  at  Mr.  Browne's. 

2.  Thursday.     I  dine  at  Bro.  Parsons's. 

3.  Friday.     Dine  at  Browne's. 

4.  SaUirday.  It  rains.  At  noon  the  court  adjourned 
to  the  2 1  st  instant ;  the  Bar  dine  at  Mr.  Bradbury's. 

5.  Sunday,  I  return  from  Ipswich  to  Salem  with 
Mr.  Sewall,  and  arrive  before  the  family  are  up. 

6.  Monday.  I  set  out  with  Jno.  for  Cambridge,  and 
reach  Wait's,  Maiden,  and  lodge  there. 

7.  Tuesday.  Go  over  to  Cambridge,  and  breakfast  at 
Mr.  Mason's.  Go  in  the  procession  from  chapel  to  [the] 
meeting-house,  [and]  see  Dr.  Warren  and  Waterhouse 
(Dexter  absent)  installed  as  professors  ; 1  each  delivered 
a  Latin  oration  (both  excellent)  to  Governor,  overseers, 
etc.  ;  all  dine  in  the  Hall ;  go  from  chamber  to  chamber 
in  the  evening,  the  three  colleges  2  being  illuminated  ; 
at  all  the  chambers  were  collations,  punch,  wine,  cheese, 
cake,  etc. 

8.  Wednesday.  [In]  morning  we  set  out  for  Salem 
and  arrive  before  two  o'clock. 

11.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  rain.  Sam.  came  here. 
B.  Pickman,  from  Cambridge,  tells  us  of  H.  D.'s  and 
R'd.  D.'s  rustication,  and  of  the  prospect  of  several  other 

1  The  design  of  founding  a  medical  school  in  connection  with  Harvard 
College  was  first  suggested  during  this  year,  and  the  professorship  of 
anatomy  was  established  for  John  Warren,  whose  services  during  the  war, 
and  his  zeal  in  surgical  and  anatomical  studies,  were  preeminent.  The 
occasion  here  alluded  to  was  the  induction  into  office  of  the  three  gentle- 
men mentioned,  whose  names  stand  first  on  the  list  of  medical  instructors 
of  the  Harvard  Medical  School. 

2  Harvard,  Stoughton,  and  Massachusetts. 


r7S3.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 63 

scholars  being  rusticated,  expelled,  degraded,  etc.,  etc., 
for  riotous  conduct  at  and  before  the  late  installations. 

12.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  Sam'l  carries  the  horse  to  J. 
Phelps's  pasture,  and  agrees  to  tarry  on  trial,  and  his 
wages  to  commence  this  day. 

13.  Monday.  Mr.  Bentley  meets  the  Clubb  at  my 
house. 

14.  Tuesday.  Messrs.  Sewall,  Pulling,  etc.,  meet  at 
Robinson's. 

15.  Wednesday.     The  Assembly  opens. 

16.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  Spend  the  evening  at 
Mr.  Wetmore's. 

17.  Friday.  Moriarty  put  into  jail  yesterday.  N.  E. 
storm  begins. 

18.  Satin  day.  Mr.  Goodale,  Pulling,  and  Dr.  Osgood 
dine  here.     Mr.  Hodges  at  tea  in  the  evening. 

19.  Sunday.  The  storm  and  rain  continue  ;  the  wind 
very  high  ;  and  at  night  hinges  of  doors,  gates  with  bolts 
and  bars,  give  way,  etc. 

20.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Sewall  and  Pulling 
here  on  Salisbury  reference.  Mr.  Hastie  called  to  see 
us  in  the  evening. 

21.  Tuesday.  [In  the]  morning  I  set  out  with  Mr. 
Pulling  for  Newbury  Court. 

23.  Thursday.  I  go  to  Ipswich  on  Emerson's  busi- 
ness, and  Smith,  and  send  to  Jno.  for  Putnam's  bond  to 
Mr.  O. 

24.  Friday.  I  return  again  to  Court,  and  dine  at 
Davenport's ;  at  night  receive  John's  pocket-book  and 
the  bond. 

25.  Saturday.  Dine  at  Mr.  Parsons',  and  go  to  Ips- 
wich at  night  with  Mr.  Pulling,  and  lodge  at  Homans'. 

26.  Sttnday.  I  return  home  by  9  o'clock  ;  cloudy  and 
cold.  News  from  Jo.  Bartlett  that  he  got  credit  for 
2.000  goods. 


164  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [October, 

28.  Tuesday.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  Jno.  are  preparing 
for  their  journey  to  Providence,  Mrs.  Goodale  to  go  in 
company. 

29.  Wednesday.  Rain.  Mrs.  Derby  here  in  the  even- 
ing. 

30.  Thursday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  J.  Sparhawk, 
of  Portsmouth,  in  town. 

31.  Fj'iday.  Cloudy  morning;  the  ground  very  wet ; 
the  travelling  very  bad.  I  receive  a  letter  from  Bro. 
Pynchon  at  Port  Roseway,1  where  400  or  500  houses  are 
already  erected. 

1  The  settlement  at  Port  Roseway,  to  which  allusion  is  here  made,  and 
of  which  Joseph  Pynchon  was  one  of  the  originators,  had  now  been  in  ex- 
istence not  far  from  six  months,  and  at  this  time  bid  fair  to  fulfill  the  high- 
est hopes  of  the  colonists.  The  Revolutionary  war  was  practically  ended 
with  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  in  i78i,and  the  Loyalists,  with  little  now 
to  encourage  them,  had  time  seriously  to  consider  the  question  as  to  their 
future  residence  before  the  formal  declaration  of  peace  in  1783.  No  less 
than  one  hundred  and  twenty  heads  of  families,  we  are  told,  had  decided 
to  remove  to  Nova  Scotia  so  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be 
made;  and  in  the  autumn  of  1782  a  meeting  was  held  in  New  York,  and 
a  committee  appointed,  of  which  Mr.  Pynchon  was  one,  to  proceed  to 
Halifax  and  make  known  to  the  governor  the  intentions  of  the  company. 
In  accordance  with  the  advice  of  one  familiar  with  that  coast,  Port  Rose- 
way, or  as  the  French  had  named  it,  Port  Razoir,  was  selected  as  the  fu- 
ture home  of  the  colonists,  on  account  of  its  safe  and  capacious  harbor 
and,  as  was  thought,  its  favorable  situation  as  a  commercial  port.  In  the 
following  spring  four  hundred  and  twenty  heads  of  families  made  prepara- 
tion for  their  departure  ;  and  on  the  27th  of  April  a  fleet  of  eighteen  ships, 
with  schooners  and  sloops,  under  convoy  of  two  ships  of  war,  sailed  from 
New  York  for  the  promised  land. 

It  was  believed  by  many  that  the  new  settlement,  with  its  large  and 
beautiful  harbor,  and  its  supposed  facilities  for  trade  in  fish  and  lumber, 
would  in  time  become  of  political  importance,  and  a  powerful  rival  of  the 
Capital.  Indeed,  the  letters  of  Mr.  Pynchon  drew  frequent  comparisons 
between  Halifax  and  Port  Roseway,  invariably  in  favor  of  the  latter. 
There  were,  however,  unforeseen  obstacles  to  the  final  success  of  this  en- 
terprise. Begun  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm,  and  with  the  entire  appro- 
bation of  the  British  government,  it  became  apparent  within  a  few  short 
years  after  the  arrival  of  the  company  that  it  must  end  in  disaster.     The 


1783.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  165 

November  1.  Saturday.  Intention  of  [the]  Assembly 
co.  to  ask  the  Court  next  week ;  the  musick  is  notified 
to  come,  but  not  said  when  ;  ideo  qucere. 

4.  Tuesday.  Superior  Court  sits  here.  Mrs.  P.,  Jno., 
Mrs.  Goodale  and  company  set  out  for  Providence,  all 
sails  up.  The  Court  asked  to  the  Assembly  to-morrow 
evening. 

5.  Wednesday.  [In  the]  morning  comes  on  the  cause 
of  Fuller  v.  Princeton  for  Mrs.  Salary,  and  it  continues 
from  day  to  day,  and  in  [the]  evening  also,  to  Saturday 
night. 

7.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  We  hear  of  Mrs. 
P.  and  company's  arrival  in  good  spirits  at  Dedham  on 

causes  that  led  to  this  result  are  graphically  told  in  an  able  paper,  to  which 
we  are  largely  indebted,  recently  read  by  the  Rev.  T.  Watson  Smith  before 
the  Nova  Scotia  Historical  Society,  and  published  in  its  Collections.  In 
18 1 8  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  what  is  now  Shelburne,  which  in  1786 
was  10,000,  had  dwindled  to  400,  a  portion  of  the  population  having 
returned  to  the  States,  but  by  far  the  larger  part  having  sought  homes  in 
more  congenial  places  in  the  British  dominions.  Mr.  Pynchon,  yielding 
to  the  urgency  of  his  son,  who  had  regained  his  confiscated  property,  and 
troubled  by  dissensions  in  the  new  colony,  returned  to  Connecticut  in  the 
autumn  of  1784,  having  been  a  resident  of  Shelburne  but  eighteen  months. 
The  large  number  of  Loyalists  who  left  their  native  country,  not  only  for 
the  bleak  shores  of  Nova  Scotia,  but  for  other  parts  of  British  America, 
the  high  character  they  bore,  the  sufferings  they  endured,  and  the  in- 
fluence they  have  since  had  in  the  development  of  the  Canadian  Dominion 
are  stated  in  the  paper  above  referred  to.  "  Two  events  in  the  history 
of  Nova  Scotia,"  says  the  writer,  "  might  of  themselves  furnish  themes  for 
the  historians  and  poets  of  a  great  nation,  the  expulsion  of  the  Acadians 
and  the  arrival  and  settlement  of  the  Loyalists.  Longfellow  has  given  im- 
mortality to  the  one,  the  other  has  not  yet  found  poet  or  historian  to  do 
it  justice.  Few  records  of  the  wanderings  and  sufferings  of  these  exiles 
have  been  preserved.  They  left  no  songs  behind  them,  nor  harpers  to 
chant  their  sorrows.  The  best  writers  upon  one  of  the  most  marvellously 
sad  events  in  the  new  world  have  given  us  only  a  comparatively  few  de- 
tached incidents,  which  serve  but  to  deepen  the  mysterious  interest  in  the 
story.  Sufficient  materials  must,  however,  exist  for  the  preparation  of  one 
of  the  most  sadly-dramatic  and,  for  the  most  part,  heroically-dramatic 
chapters  in  modern  history." 


166  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

Tuesday  night.     The  musick  at  Assembly  was  Prince, 
a  drunken  Irishman,  and  Duane,  from  the  lower  parish  ! 

8.  Saturday.  The  Superior  Court  adjourned,  the  jury 
having  found  verdict  against  Fuller. 

9.  Sunday.  Judge  Sewall  dines  with  me  ;  he  did  not 
go  to  the  Assembly  ;  J.  Sargeant,  Sullivan,  Bradbury, 
King,  etc.,  did  go. 

13.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cool ;  p.  m.,  the  snow  thaws, 
and  the  ways  grow  very  muddy.  I  set  out  for  Boston, 
but  am  discouraged  and  return  Daland's  horse,  as  by  the 
balling  of  the  snow  he  stumbles.  Jno.  and  Mrs.  Good- 
ale  return  in  pretty  good  spirits.  Ri.  Derby,  Esq.,  is 
buried ; 1  bearers,  Mr.  Dowse,  F.  Cabot,  D.  Britton. 

14.  Friday.  Strout  from  London  with  English  goods, 
S.  Page,  owner. 

15.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  I  dine  with  Mr.  Noyes 
and  Jack  at  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  he  unwell.  Mr.  P.  Payson 
there  too. 

1 8.  Tuesday.  A  clear  morning  ;  very  cold.  This  the 
last  of  arresting  for  Dr's  Court,  and  early  in  the  evening 
I  have  leisure  to  begin  a  letter  for  Mad.  P.  at  the  Glebe. 

19.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  and  some  wet.  Messrs. 
Mansfield  et  a/,  meet  on  the  affair  of  Lyndeand  Browne. 
It  rains  all  night.     Write  to  Mr.  Dalgleish,  Edinburgh. 

20.  TJinrsday.  Storm,  and  rains  furiously.  Delivered 
Sam.  Cabot  a  letter  for  R.  Lechmere,  and  one  for  P. 
Frye,  inclosed  in  a  letter  to  Messrs.  Lane,  Son,  and 
Fraser,  to  go  in  W.  Foster's  ship,  which  is  to  sail  to- 
morrow from  Boston. 

1  Richard  Derby  was  the  son  of  Richard,  who  married  Martha,  daughter 
of  Stephen  Haskett,  and  grandson  of  Roger  Derby,  the  first  settler.  He 
was  born  in  171 2,  and  died  on  the  9th  of  November,  1783.  His  first  wife 
was  Mary  Hodges,  and  his  second  Sarah,  widow  of  Dr.  Ezekiel  Hersey  of 
Hingham.  His  son,  Elias  Haskett,  who  became  a  prominent  merchant 
of  Salem,  married  Elizabeth  Crowninshield,  and  had  issue,  Elias  Haskett, 
ohn,  and  Ezekiel  Hersey. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 67 

24.  Monday,  Cold.  The  Dutch  ship's  crew  reduced 
to  about  30. 

25.  Tuesday.  Present  of  poems,  etc.,  from  J.  Bartlett, 
London,  and  of  [a]  box  of  powdered  sugar  from  the 
Graftons,  Havanna,  with  a  polite  letter  ;  and  a  great 
wonder  happens  :  Stevens  pays  me  bill  of  costs  on  2 
executions,  when  I  was  reduced  to  the  sum  of  1/6  only 
in  pocket.  The  Dutch  50-gun  ship  lost  in  the  bay  ; 
about  30  remaining  of  her  crew  pass  through  the  town, 
270  being  lost  with  the  ship  ;  see  the  newspapers. 

26.  Wednesday.  Fair  day.  Mr.  Fitch  and  Mr.  Browne 
came  about  the  reference  suit  with  Oliver  and  Lynde. 
Moriarty  gone  out  of  jail  yesterday. 

27.  Thursday.  The  referees,  Mansfield  and  co.,  meet 
at  Goodhue's,  and  have  a  curious  hearing  of  Oliver  and 
Browne.     It  begins  to  storm  and  rain  in  the  evening. 

28.  Friday.  Opened  the  box  of  powdered  sugar,  a 
present  from  my  generous  friends,  Messrs.  J.  and  J. 
Grafton  at  Havanna ;  see  their  polite  letter  accompany- 
ing the  present. 

29.  Saturday.  Rain.  Mr.  Pulling  and  Mr.  Sewall 
meet  upon  Salisbury  cause  referred.  Dr.  Whitaker's 
people  grow  uneasy  as  to  his  ill  conduct,  lasciviousness, 
etc. 

30.  Sunday.  Wet  and  stormy  ;  storms  and  rains  at 
night,  and  blows  briskly  ;  a  great  many  vessels  are  sup- 
posed to  be  in  hazard  in  the  bay.  Mrs.  Orne  visits  Mrs. 
Higginson  at  evening,  and  comes  home  in  haste,  and  is 
taken  with  shortness  of  breath,  but  is  relieved  before  she 
goes  to  bed.  Dr.  Whitaker  confesses  to  some  of  his 
church  his  imprudence. 

December  2.     Tuesday.     The  Court  meet  p.  m. 

3.  Wednesday.     [The]  Court  dine  at  Mr.  Pickering's. 

4.  Thursday.     The  Court  dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 


168  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [December, 

6.  Saturday.  May  is  tried,  and  found  not  guilty  at  9 
in  the  evening. 

7.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  cool ;  wind  S.  W. 
Messrs.  Mansfield,  Sewall,  and  Dane  dined  with  me  yes- 
terday.    A  stranger  is  buried  in  the  churchyard. 

8.  Monday.     Fair.     Mr.  Hinckley  and  lady  here. 

10.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  drizzly  weather.  Great 
quantities  of  provision  in  the  market  ;  turkeys  at  8d., 
geese  $d.  and  6d,  sausages  iod.,  eggs  1/2.  Urged 
Stephens  to  secure  himself  in  Estey  and  Lamson's 
affair  of  the  Exon.  Wrote  letter  of  thanks  to  Messrs. 
Grafton. 

11.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving  Day.  Dr.  Whitaker 
preacheth  at  his  meeting  to  [a]  small  audience,  chiefly 
of  women.  Mr.  Fisher  gave  us  a  good  sermon  at  church. 
I  and  family  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

12.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  wet  all  day  ;  at  night  clears 
off.  I  bespeak  the  house  of  Mrs.  Pickman,  in  case  Dr. 
W.  or  Mr.  Prince  shall  not  have  it  after  the  winter ;  and 
this  day  give  notice  to  Mr.  Hunt  that  the  cellar  having 
so  much  water  will  not  answer  for  me  at  all,  and  he  con- 
curs in  sentiment  with  me,  and  says  it  will  not  probably 
be  clear  till  spring  ;  so  much  for  the  matter.  Mrs.  Pick- 
man  engages  the  house  to  me  after  Dr.  W.  leaves  it,  as 
she  supposes  Mr.  Prince  has  engaged  one. 

13.  Saturday.  Cold.  Mr.  Hastie  spent  the  last  even- 
ing with  me,  also  Mr.  Goodale  ;  Mr.  Hinckley  here  ;  Mr. 
Noyes  and  Dr.  Putnam  here  this  evening.  Dr.  Whitaker 
and  Madam  and  son  Jem.  come  home,  Jem.  preceding 
the  company  upon  a  large  black  stallion  ;  Madam  calls 
him  a  fine  horse,  and  is  for  keeping  him  for  publick  use 
and  his  own  profit. 

15.  Monday.  [At]  night,  Club  at  my  house,  and  Mr. 
Noyes. 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  169 

16.  Tuesday.  Stevens  in  trouble  as  to  Estey's  and 
Lamson's  affair.    I  buy  [a]  box  [of]  large  candles  at  \od. 

17.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  warm.  Wrote  to  Guilford 
to  T.  R.  Pynchon  by  post.1  At  the  Assembly  and  spend 
an  agreeable  evening.  Mr.  Templeman  there  !  Where 
is  she  ?  where,  poor  Lawless  ?  News  told  there  of  the 
loss  of  Calahan  ;  Mrs.  Wetmore  having  a  brother  on 
board  is  deeply  affected,  and  at  a  proper  time,  when  the 
company  was  engaged,  she  retires  and  goes  home. 

18.  Thursday.  Snow-storm.  By  the  post  we  hear 
that  Calahan  by  contrary  winds  is  driven  back  into  Pool. 

19.  Friday.  Clears  up  cold.  See  the  account  of 
Jona.  Gardner's  death  in  the  paper. 

21.  Sunday.  Fair.  Jno.  goes  up  to  Mr.  Orne's  and 
dines.  At  sunrise  it  snowed.  Having  a  cold  I  tarry 
and  dine  at  home.  Dr.  Holyoke  and  Mr.  Wetmore  here 
in  the  evening. 

22.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  some  snow.  We  hear  of 
Mrs.  Pynchon's  coming  to  Boston  from  Providence  with 
Mrs.  Barrett. 

23.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  I  set  out  for  Boston 
with  T.  Sanders  in  B.  Daland's  close  conveyance.  Go 
over  Winnisimet  [and]  find  Mrs.  Pynchon  at  Mr.  Higgin- 
son's  ;  set  out  from  thence  for  Salem  at  12,  and  get  in 
to  my  house  at  6  on  Wednesday. 

25.  Thursday.  Christmas  Day  ;  very  cold ;  some 
snow.  Mrs.  P.  and  I  dine  at  home  and  have  a  comfort- 
able Christmas  to  ourselves,  having  sufficient  elbow- 
room  and  a  warm  fireside.  Jno.  and  Mr.  Goodale's 
family  dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore' s.     Mr.   Barnard,  Prince, 

1  In  a  letter  of  this  date  Mr.  Pynchon  writes :  "  I  just  now  hear  that 
Dr.  Borland  is  at  last  admitted  to  reside  in  these  States,  and  he  has  gone 
to  Portsmouth;  that  R.  T.  Paine  is  nominated  a  judge  of  the  Superior 
Court." 


170  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

and  Bentley  at  church,  and  Mr.  Fisher  delivered  an 
excellent,  spirited  discourse ;  Dr.  Whitaker  was  there 
also. 

26.  Friday.  Snow-storm  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Mr.  Noyes 
here  in  the  evening. 

27.  Saturday.  Clear,  cold  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wet 
more  here  at  tea.  Mr.  Osgood  goes  to  Andover.  Mr 
Kimball  here  ;  Patty  here  the  day  and  lodges  here. 

28.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  very  cold  ;  snows.  Mr 
Fisher  here  p.  m.  ;  Mr.  Wetmore,  Mr.  Goodale,  Mrs 
Pickman,  and  Patty  here  in  the  evening. 

29.  Monday.  Clouds  and  rain.  Clubb  at  Dr.  Hoi 
yoke's  ;  Mr.  Barnard  and  Prince  there,  but  not  Mr 
Bentley. 

30.  Tuesday.     Cloudy.     Mrs.   Curwen,  Mr.  and  Mrs 
Goodale  here,  and  Susan  Higginson  here  in  the  evening 
Patty  goes  home  this  evening  to  prepare  for  the  As 
sembly  and  for  the  execution  of  her  plan  ;  query,  the 
event. 

31.  Wednesday.  Assembly  at  night ;  warm  and  some- 
what sloppy.  Billy  Cabot  writes  that  he  shall  attempt 
to  return  hither  from  Britain  in  the  spring. 

1784.  January  2.  Friday.  Write  to  Mr.  Curwen 
by  Mr.  Cabot  ;  send  letter  for  Mr.  Dalgleish,  written 
November  last. 

4.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  but  seems  to  be  clearing  off ; 
moderate  air.     At  night  Dr.  Whitaker  has  a  lecture. 

5.  Monday.  Some  rain  and  snow,  and  very  wet 
travelling.  See  the  account  of  Dr.  Cooper's  death,  and 
the  small  number  of  my  surviving  classmates. 

6.  Tuesday.  Write  again  to  Colo.  Frye,  and  send  his 
and  Curwen's  letters  by  Mr.  Conant  from  Boston.  Jno. 
goes  on  my  horse  and  hears  that  Calahan  is  cast  away 
on  the  shoals. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  171 

7.  Wednesday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Mrs.  Higginson 
and  Mrs.  Cabot  remove  to  Beverly,  having  sold  the 
house  ;  Mrs.  Higginson  seems  much  affected  at  leaving 
Salem  and  her  old  habitation  and  neighbours. 

8.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  The  day  for  Lang 
and  the  Doctor ;  mark  the  end  of  it ;  the  rabble  bear 
down  the  Dr.  and  his  cause,  and  shout  at  everything  said 
to  his  prejudice.     I  wrote  to  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk. 

9.  Friday.  [In  the]  morning  [at]  10  o'clock  Judge 
Batcheller  gives  judgment  in  a  formal  manner,  and  with 
dignity  and  decorum,  in  the  cause  v.  Lang,  and  acquits 
him,  and  orders  that  he  go  without  day  ;  the  audience 
begin  to  clap  but  are  discountenanced,  and  the  clapping 
ceaseth  ;  the  prosecutor  is  advised  not  to  be  present, 
and  therefore  does  not  attend.  Thus  endeth  the  cause 
of  great  expectation,  and  with  it,  as  all  suppose,  the 
Doctor's  clerical  character  ;  and  it  is  supposed  he  will 
not  attempt  to  preach  again,  and  if  he  does  he  will  have 
no  hearers  of  any  character,  interest,  or  influence.  I 
sent  my  letter  to  N.  Sparhawk,  Esqr. 

10.  Saturday.  I  go  to  Beverly  on  reference,  Browne 
v.  Dodge,  and  give  notice  to  Mrs.  Browne  of  the  pros- 
pect of  recovery,  and  caution  her  to  beware  of  the  pro- 
posals which  may  be  made  to  her. 

11.  Sunday.  Snow.  Dr.  Whitaker  preacheth  at  his 
Tabernacle  to  about  14  persons,  mostly  boys  and  girls. 

12.  Monday.  Very  cold,  and  the  sledding  tolerably 
good.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  and  Mrs.  Pickman  here  in  the 
evening  ;  he  speaks  of  Capt.  Stanhope,  commissioner  at 
Port  Roseway.     Club  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

13.  Tuesday.  Snow-storm,  and  very  cold.  Wrote  to 
Mr.  Walter  and  brother  Joseph. 

14.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mrs.  R.  Cabot  here  and 
S.  Blyth.     I  go  to  the  Assembly. 


172  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [January, 

15.  Thursday.  Mr.  Bartlett  returns  to  Boston.  Jno. 
carries  him  to  Newhall's.  I  wrote  to  N.  Sparhawk  by 
post,  and  to  Shelburne  by  Hall,  to  W.  Walter,  and  Bro. 
Pynchon.  Clear  and  cold  to-day.  Jno.  and  Sam'l  return 
with  the  sleigh,  p.  m.,  from  Charlestown,  whither  they 
carried  Mr.  Bartlett  in  Daland's  carriage.  The  bearers 
of  Mrs.  Turner1  propose  to  go  to  see  Mr.  Turner  this 
evening,  but  adjourn  for  to-morrow  evening.  Capt.  Jno. 
Gardner  dies.2 

16.  Friday.  Very  cold  and  clear.  We  visit  Mr. 
Turner  this  evening,  and  there  it  was  said  that  Dr.  W.'s 
people  would  soon  shut  up  the  meeting-house  and  ex- 
clude the  Dr. 

18.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  wind  S.  E.,  and  warmer  than 
for  several  days  past.  We  hear  from  Halifax  of  a  great 
concurrence  of  people  at  Annapolis  and  of  the  arrival 
of  H.  Lloyd  at  Halifax  from  N.  York. 

19.  Monday.  Snow,  rain,  and  thaw  ;  at  9  at  night 
clears  away  cool.  Mr.  Goodale  here,  the  only  one  of  the 
Club  who  ventures  out.     J.  Gardner  buried. 

20.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  By  Dr.  Tupper  from 
Shelburne,  we  hear  of  10,000  houses  there,  all  sorts  in- 
cluded, and  of  their  having  cut  the  road  nearly  through 
to  Annapolis. 

22.  Thursday.  Moderate,  pleasant  day.  Wrote  to 
Mr.   Oliver.     I   go  with  Colo.  Thorndike  to  view  the 

1  Mary,  wife  of  John  Turner  ;  at  the  time  of  her  death,  66  years  of  age. 

2  John  Gardner,  a  prominent  resident  of  Salem,  was  the  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Weld)  Gardner,  and  brother  of  Elizabeth,  who  married 
her  cousin,  Capt.  Jonathan  Gardner,  mentioned  above.  He  was  baptized 
February  16,  1706-7,  and  married,  first,  to  Elizabeth  Putnam,  by  whom  he 
had  John,  who  married  Elizabeth  Pickering,  whose  son,  Samuel  P.,  mar- 
ried Rebecca  Russell  Lowell,  whose  son,  John  Lowell,  married  Catherine 
E.  Peabody,  the  parents  of  George  A.  and  John  L.  Gardner,  of  Boston. 
The  second  wife  of  John  Gardner  was  Elizabeth  Herbert.  He  afterwards 
married  a  third  wife,  Mary  Peale.     See  Pickering  Genealogy ,  53.  v.  20. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 73 

great  house  which  he  offers  to  let  me  [for]  3  months  at 
^50  per  annum.  Colo.  Pickering  and  his  brother,  Clark, 
here. 

23.  Friday.  Moderate,  cloudy,  and  thaws.  Wrote  to 
N.  Sparhawk,  Esqr.,  post.  Mr.  Story,  [of]  Marblehead, 
dines  here.  See  the  newspaper,  Salem,  announcing  the 
arrival  of  the  Hon.  Colo.  Pickering  from  the  southward, 
late  Qr.-master-gen'l  of  the  army  —  humph  !  See  the 
Boston  paper  and  character  of  Dr.  S.  Cooper ;  let  all 
who  have  eyes  to  see  and  ears  to  hear  turn  back  to  the 
papers,  and  to  the  time  of  Dr.  Eliot's  death,  and  ob- 
serve the  truth  suppressed  by  party  spirit,  envy,  and 
malevolence. 

24.  Saturday.  Wind  S.  ;  the  snow  is  gone,  the  air 
warm.  Dr.  Putnam  and  Mr.  Noyes  here  [in]  the  even- 
ing. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodale,  Dr.  P.,  and  Mr.  G.,  T.  P., 
and  Parson  C.  dined  to-day  at  widow  M.  Higginson's. 

25.  Sunday.  Moderate,  and  cloudy.  A  letter  from 
J.  Atherton,1  of  Amherst,  as  to  Wilkins.  At  church 
p.  m.,  Mr.  Dormer  and  Donatti,  the  Italians.  At  eve  I 
write  to  Mr.  Bartlett  as  to  Mr.  Goodhue's  affair,  and 
send  his  receipt  for  the  note  of  ,£48. 

26.  Monday.    Cloudy  and  cold.    Club  at  Mr.  Blaney's. 

28.  Wednesday.  A  fine  day  ;  wind  W.  John's  new 
blue  comes  home  for  the  Assembly.  Bro.  Mitchell 
comes  with  N.  Sparhawk  and  Jno.  Sparhawk  in  the 
stage. 

29.  Thursday.  Cold  and  clear.  Brothers  Stephen 
and  Mitchell  dine  here ;  Mitchell  goes  to  Mrs.  Goodale's. 

1  Joshua  Atherton  was  the  father  of  the  Hon.  Charles  H.  Atherton,  of 
Amherst,  N.  H.,  and  grandfather  of  the  Hon.  Charles  G.  Atherton,  both 
of  whom  were  members  of  Congress.  Mr.  Atherton  was  a  member  of  the 
Convention  for  ratifying  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  a 
speech  of  his  is  extant  against  the  Constitution,  because  it  sanctioned 
slavery  and  the  slave  trade. 


174  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

30.  Friday.  Stephen  comes  over  again  ;  is  in  tribu- 
lation ;  all  strive  in  his  favor,  but  in  vain. 

31.  Saturday.  Fair,  pleasant  day.  E.  Williams  comes 
at  evening.  I  have  a  letter  from  Colo.  Thorndike  as  to 
the  house. 

February  4.  Wednesday.  Ordination  day  at  Lynn  of 
Mr.  Parsons  ;  Mr.  Treadwell,  the  former  minister,  op- 
posing it.     J.  Bartlett  dines  here. 

5.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  E.  Williams 
sets  out  for  Boston  in  the  stage.  This  day  Mr.  W. 
came  about  Richardson's  writs,  who  refused  allowing 
the  common  price  agreed  on,  viz.,  12/,  and  I  told  Mr. 
W.  that  I  refused  taking  less.   Q.  If  he  drew  them  for  R. 

6.  Friday.  A  snow-storm.  Richardson  tries  to  break 
thro'  bar  agreement. 

7.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cold  morning.  A  letter  from 
S.  Gridley  as  to  Moriarty.  Mr.  Goodale  shows  me  J. 
Sewall's  cringing  and  submissive  letter,  respecting  that 
he  wrote  to  Mr.  L.  in  yj,  which  was  most  insolent,  and 
now  said  by  Sewail  to  have  been  dictated  by  the  purest 
friendly  motives.  Jno.  set  out  for  Boston  at  9  this 
morning  about  his  adventure  sent  in  there  from  W. 
Indies.  I  drink  tea  with  Caty  at  Mr.  Vans',  and  sin- 
cerely commiserate  the  family. 

9.  Mojiday.  Very  cold  and  clear.  Mrs.  Higginson, 
Goodale,  and  Miss  Atkins  get  "  Curse  ye  Meroz"  for  D. 
Chapman.  Club  at  Dr.  Putnam's.  Judge  Sumner  calls 
on  me,  but  declines  to  lodge  here.  Mr.  Reed,  from  Cam- 
bridge, at  Clubb.  Writs  are  issued  to  a  number  to  take 
the  degree  of  Barristers  ;  a  small,  ordinary  seal  of  some- 
body's head  is  affixed  to  the  writ,  enclosed  in  a  tin  box. 

10.  Tuesday.  Exceedingly  cold.  Judge  Sewail  calls 
on  me.  The  Court  meet  in  the  Town  House,  and  ad- 
journ  to    [the]  brick   School    House.      J.    Sewail   and 


1784.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 75 

Sumner  spend  the  evening,  sup,  and  lodge  with  us  ;  Mr. 
Bartlett  comes  also  in  the  evening,  and  lodges  here. 

11.  Wednesday.  J.  Sargeant1  calls  with  the  other 
judges,  and  the  sheriffs  go  with  them  to  Court.  J. 
Sargeant  shows  me  Porter's  letter  ;  truly  't  is  an  original ! 
The  Court  go  to  the  Assembly  past  9  o'clock. 

12.  Thursday.  Cloudy,  and  snow.  Mr.  Bartlett  and 
Jno.  set  out  at  noon  for  Boston.  J.  Sargeant  shows  me 
Bro.  Porter's  extraordinary  letter  from  London. 

13.  Friday.  Mrs.  Pickman  and  Mrs.  Orne  set  out  for 
Boston.  I  write  by  B.  Ely  to  Colo.  Worthington  as  to 
Doyle's  debt,  and  as  to  security  for  it  for  5  or  6  months. 
I  give  my  account  v.  Hale  Ives'  estate  to  Jos.  Wood,  ad- 
ministrator. 

14.  Saturday.  A  fine,  fair  day,  but  very  cold.  Judges 
Sargeant,  Sewall,  and  Sumner  dine  with  me  on  fish. 
The  Court  adjourned  without  day.  J.  Sumner  sets  out 
for  Roxbury.  At  night  Mr.  T.  Russell,  Lowell,  and 
Higginson  come  to  town,  and  spend  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Goodale's. 

15.  Sunday.  Clear,  and  very  cold.  Mr.  Sewall  dines 
at  Mr.  Goodale's,  and  goes  to  meeting  at  Mr.  Barnard's. 
Mrs.  Barton's2  funeral  to-day;  bearers,  Dr.  Bickford, 
Dr.  Gray,  Dan'l  King,  Dr.  Putnam,  Jona.  Ropes,  myself ; 
she,  83  yrs  old.  Last  night  Mrs.  Hathorn's  shop  broken 
open,  and  great  quantities  of  goods  stolen  out. 

16.  Monday.     Cloudy  and  warmer.     J.  Sewall  set  out 

1  Nathaniel  Peaslee  Sargeant  was  of  the  class  at  Harvard  College  of 
1750.  He  practiced  law  in  Haverhill  and  held  a  high  rank,  says  Wash- 
burn, in  his  profession.  In  1790  he  succeeded  Judge  Cushing  in  the 
office  of  Chief  Justice,  which  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1791. 

2  Elizabeth  (Marston)  Barton  was  the  second  wife  of  Samuel,  son  of  Dr. 
John  Barton,  who  came  to  N.  E.  in  the  "  Hannah  and  Elizabeth  "  in  1672, 
and  who  died  at  Barbadoes  in  1694.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Patience  Marston. 


176  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

at  io  A.  m.  to  be  at  Boston  seasonably  for  the  uniform 
and  procession  to-morrow,  the  bib  and  band  !  and  all  to 
dine  at  the  Governor's. 

17.  Tuesday.  Clear,  and  moderate.  A  grand  proces- 
sion of  Court  and  Bar  at  Boston. 

18.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Hathorn  sets  out  for  Providence 
to  visit  the  Conjuror  to  find  her  goods. 

19.  Thursday.     Patty  Pynchon  here  in  the  evening. 

20.  Friday.  Great  part  of  Mrs.  Hathorn's  goods  are 
found  at  Marblehead,  parts  being  offered  for  sale  and  to 
exchange,  at  very  low  rates  ;  Jack  sets  out  for  Provi- 
dence to  call  her  home  from  the  Conjuror's ;  the  re- 
ceivers, etc.,  of  the  goods  are  brought  over  from  Marble- 
head,  examined,  and  part  of  the  goods  found  and  the 
persons  committed.  Spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Good- 
ale's,  Mr.  Dormer,  etc.,  Mr.  Vans,  etc.,  present ;  and  I 
there  received  Mr.  Sears's  letter  of  the  17th,  as  to  J. 
Browne's  payment. 

21.  Saturday.  Morning,  fair,  and  moderate.  The 
Hathorns  return  from  Boston  with  one  of  the  thieves, 
and  Constable  Bickford,  from  Marblehead,  with  some 
more  of  the  goods. 

23.  Monday.  Clear  day,  and  cool  at  eve.  The  Club 
at  my  house,  with  Hist,  of  the  Jesuits. 

24.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  moderate,  clear  day.  Darrah 
here,  and  by  him  I  write  to  Hollis  and  Chelmsford.  Jno. 
returns  from  Providence  after  9  in  the  evening. 

25.  Wednesday.  Maj'r  Cheever  here  for  witness  be- 
fore the  Council  against  Dr.  W.  Having  caught  cold  I 
keep  house. 

26.  TJiursday.  Mr.  Story  here.  The  Council  meet 
in  Dr.  W.'s  meeting-house,  and  Mr.  Forbes  preacheth  a 
sermon,  and  the  Council's  result  is  published  for  dissolv- 
ing the  connection  between  Dr.  W.  and  his  congregation, 
and  W.  sets  off  for  Newburyport  to  consult  Mr.  P. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 77 

27.  Friday.  Very  cold.  I  write  to  El.  Lynde's 
widow. 

28.  Saturday.  Clear,  and  very  cold.  Bro.  Mitchell 
sets  out  in  the  stage  for  Portsmouth.  Colo.  Mansfield 
here  about  his  and  Norris'  account ;  Bro.  Mansfield  here. 

March  I.  Monday.  Very  cold  yet ;  a  more  tedious 
winter  hath  not  been  known  for  twenty  years. 

2.  Tuesday.     I  write  to  Mr.  Curwen  and  Colo.  Frye. 

3.  Wednesday.  J.  Bartlett  comes  with  baggage,  etc., 
to  sail  in  the  Pilgrim.  Mrs.  Holyoke,  Cutts,  and  com- 
pany. 

4.  Thursday.  N.  wind  and  snow,  and  Jno.  Peas  de- 
clares that  the  Pilgrim  will  have  no  good  wind  before 
next  Wednesday  ;  see  now,  says  Peas,  which  knows  best, 
the  great  folks  or  Peas. 

6.  Saturday.  Wind  continues.  Sam.  carries  the 
horse  to  Sam'l  Endicot's.  Little  Jos.  Flint  puts  me  into 
a  passion  with  lying  and  smiling.  In  the  evening  I  read 
Dr.  W.'s  sermon  on  cursing.  Mr.  Noyes,  Bartlett,  etc., 
here. 

7.  Sunday.  The  wind  continues,  and  Peas  passes  for 
half  a  prophet.  Mr.  Bartlett  here,  and  Mrs.  Pickman  in 
the  evening. 

8.  Monday.  Cloudy ;  N.  E.  wind.  Bartlett  and  all 
the  passengers  think  they  could  manage  the  wind  much 
better  than  Jove,  who  seems  to  be  prejudiced  against 
them  or  the  Pilgrim. 

10.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Bartlett  and  John  go  to  Danvers 
and  dine  ;  at  night  to  the  Assembly.  Mrs.  Lee  and 
George1  here  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Fisher  rejoices  that 
he  is  excused  from  his  proposed  journey  to  Providence. 

11.  Thursday.  Cloudy  still,  and  N.  E.  wind.  Joshua 
Grafton  returns  from  Havana.     Mr.   Lafitte  keeps  his 

1  The  son  of  Joseph  Lee,  born  in  1776,  and  who  died  in  1856. 


178  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [March, 

room.  Capt.  Haraden's  loss  of  his  cause  and  of  his 
partner's  deserting.  Mr.  Bartlett  sets  out  for  Boston 
and  returns  to  Newhall's  at  night,  and  sends  Scipio  for 
John. 

12.  Friday.  Cloudy;  wind  south.  Bartlett  returns 
from  Newhall's,  and  dines  here.  Sam'l  Gott  leaves  us, 
and  Peter  comes  in  his  room.  I  am  to  find  Peter  his 
food  and  clothes  so  long  as  I  keep  him,  he  being  now 
upon  trial  only.  The  roguery  of  Sam  begins  to  appear. 
Mr.  Smith 1  calls  to  study  here. 

13.  Saturday.  Cloudy  in  the  morning  ;  the  sun  ap- 
pears before  noon,  and  the  passengers  go  on  board  the 
Pilgrim.  Mr.  Bartlett  returns  and  dines  with  us,  and 
they  go  on  board  again.  In  the  evening  Eb.  West  comes 
and  speaks  of  his  intimacy  with  B. 

14.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  foggy,  wind  south,  and  Mr. 
Bartlett  comes  on  shore ;  says  all  are  sick  on  board  the 
Pilgrim.  Rain  at  10  o'clock;  Mr.  Bartlett  stays  and 
dines.  We  find  more  and  more  proof  of  Sam's  roguery 
and  deceitful  tricks. 

15.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning,  but  clears  away;  wind 
southwest,  and  off  goes  the  Pilgrim  with  a  brisk  gale. 
Mr.  Wilds  comes  to  write  in  my  office. 

16.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Messrs.  Franklin 
and  Adams  recommend  moderate  measures  as  to  refu- 
gees' estates,  etc. 

19.  Friday.  It  snows  at  night.  A  concert  and  dance 
at  the  Assembly  House. 

21.  Sunday.  Clear  and  pleasant.  Mr.  Noyes  here  in 
the  evening.  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk's  very  friendly  letter 
before  me. 

23.  Tuesday.  A  pleasant  day.  Brother  Stephen  goes 
to  Portsmouth,  and  carries  Mitchell  Sewall,  his  nephew. 

1  Hon.  Jeremiah  Smith. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 79 

24.  Wednesday.  Miss  Atkins  spends  the  day  with  us, 
and  Mrs.  W.  and  company  the  evening. 

26.  Friday.  Cloudy.  I  receive  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Sears  respecting  John  Browne's  recalling  the  money 
paid  on  my  account  ;  I  set  out  in  the  afternoon  with  the 
money  to  repay  Mr.  Sears,  and  arrive  at  Boston  about  8 
in  the  evening. 

27.  Saturday.  Rain.  I  go  to  see  Mr.  Sears,  Mr. 
Lafitte,  and  T.  Fitch  ;  the  latter  gives  an  order  on  me 
to  pay  his  money  in  my  hands  to  Mrs.  Lynde  ;  also  go 
to  Mr.  Lathrop's  as  to  Knowlton's  affair. 

28.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  Dr.  Whitaker's  people  shut 
the  doors  of  the  Tabernacle  against  him  ;  he  demands 
his  right  to  enter  and  preach  as  their  minister,  but  is 
refused. 

29.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  raw,  cold  air.  Boden  et 
2ix.  call  respecting  the  deacon's  objections  to  their  mar- 
riage contract,  and  they  are  to  call  for  certificate  of  the 
deacon's  marriage  with  Dorothy. 

30.  Tuesday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  Mr.  Grafton 
and  a  Frenchman  here  in  the  morning.  My  letter,  sent 
for  Port  Roseway  to  my  brother,  is  returned  to  me  by 
Dexter,  his  vessel  being  driven  off  the  coast  to  [the] 
West  Indies. 

31.  Wednesday.  Miss  Diamond,  Atkins,  and  W. 
Vans,  Jr.,  here  at  evening,  also  N.  Barrett  ;  the  latter 
et  ux.  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

April  1.  Thursday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Mrs. 
Pickman's  son,  C.  Gayton,  dies  this  morning  —  her  only 
son  surviving. 

4.   Sunday.     At  church.     Very  cold. 

6.  Tuesday.  Rains.  I  set  out  with  B.  Daland  in  his 
chaise  for  Ipswich  Court;  we  go  over  the  ferry,  the 
roads  being  exceedingly  miry. 


l8o  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

8.  Thursday.  The  Town  House  thronged  on  Session 
trials,  wrangles,  etc.  ;  the  cats  get  out  of  the  bag,  and 
are  tossed  backward  and  forward  from  bench  to  bar  ; 
the  Chief  Justice  is  for  letting  them  all  out;  see  memo, 
of  proceedings. 

9.  Friday.  About  200  actions  to  be  got  over,  one  way 
or  another,  by  Saturday  night. 

10.  Saturday.  Hurry,  durry!  Call 'em  out!  call 'em  all 
out !    About  5  the  Court  rises  in  tolerable  good  humour. 

11.  Sunday  morning.  About  5  Mr.  Wetmore  and  I, 
in  his  chaise,  set  out  for  Salem  ;  cloudy,  and  very  cold. 
We  get  home  at  9  o'clock  to  breakfast.  I  receive  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Lechmere,  Bristol. 

12.  Monday.  A  fair,  cool  day.  Walker  and  Capt. 
Osborn  meet  at  my  office  about  Robinson  and  his 
causes. 

14.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  The  ship  .  .  . 
arrives  at  Boston  from  London  with  some  protested  bills 
of  S.  Page  ;  to-morrow  stand  clear,  Page  the  baker ! 
Some  begin  to-night ;  alas,  poor  Page  ! 

15.  TJiursday.  Rain  ;  wind  N.  E.  Fast  Day.  Peter 
goes  home  with  his  father  for  his  misconduct  and  theft, 
etc.,  etc. 

16.  Friday.  Rain,  snow,  and  blustering  winds;  the 
blustering  subsides,  and  Page  revives. 

17.  Saturday.  Rain  and  snow  all  day  by  turns.  Page 
attacks  B.  and  Thorndike  in  his  turn;  but  memo.,  they 
were  alarmed  by  reports  and  only  misinformed,  but 
Page's  was  resentment  only ;  he  called  them  spiteful ; 
what  must  they  say  of  him  ? 

18.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Fisher  at  Marblehead  all 
day. 

19.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Bentley  here  as 
to  Corsican.     I  agree  for  Mr.  West's  house. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  181 

20.  Tuesday.  Gen'l  Glover  here  ;  I  am  to  send  him 
a  line,  when  ready,  for  Sparhavvk's  securities,  whether 
at  Marblehead  or  here,  and  take  the  notes  with  me  from 
hence.  Mr.  Bentley  here  again.  Mr.  Sewall,  of  Marble- 
head,  dines  here  ;  we  go  to  J.  Pickering  about  the  writs 
not  brought  forward. 

25.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  I  go  to  church  ;  Dr.  W.  there, 
and  behaves  with  decency,  and  bows  at  going  in  and  out. 

27.  Tuesday.  Mrs.  Orne  takes  3  volumes  of  Lady 
Montague's  Letters. 

28.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  fair  morning.  Manuel  Erskin 
came  to  live  in  my  family  upon  trial,  and  have  his  food 
and  clothes. 

29.  Thursday.  Rain,  and  I  buy  a  glaz'd  hat  as  secu- 
rity against  it. 

30.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  I  have  much 
tribulation  as  to  entries  of  actions  ;  mark  the  event,  and 
see  if  so  bad  as  the  present  prospect.  I  spend  the  even- 
ing at  Judge  Oliver's.  The  Assembly  company  meet  at 
Bacon's,  sup,  and  have  a  high  go. 

May  1.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cold  ;  S.  E.  wind. 
Capt.  Buffinton  comes  from  Providence ;  says  Mr.  Oliver 
and  family  are  well,  and  he  and  Mr.  Walter's  son  are  to 
come  to  Salem  next  week.  Mr.  Noyes  and  I  ride  up  to 
Mr.  Orne's. 

2.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  but  windy  day.  At  church 
all  day  ;  at  Mr.  Fisher's  in  the  evening  with  Mr.  G. 
We  hear  that  Miss  P.  Porter  is  in  Salem  at  Mrs.  Ropes's. 

3.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mr.  Wetmore  and 
family  move.  I  find  no  house.  Letters  from  Colo. 
Frye. 

4.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  My  troubles  increase  ; 
no  house,  business  fails,  enemies  multiply,  malevolence 
prevails. 


1 82  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

5.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Tea  at  Mr.  Wet- 
more's  ;  [in]  evening  at  Capt.  Dodge's  and  at  Mr.  Good- 
ale's.  Mrs.  Sparhawk's  son  in  town,  and  daughter ;  she 
a  most  agreeable  lady. 

6.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Cabot  a 
little  nettled  as  to  his  wife's  making  offers  of  his  house 
to  A.,  B.,  and  C.  At  evening,  Mr.  Dowse  and  Fisher 
and  church  co.  ;  high  words  between  F.  and  W.,  and 
seeds  were  sown  for  future  animosities  and  jealousies  ; 
F.,  thou  must  be  less  overbearing  or  depart  ! 

8.  Saturday.  A  fine  day,  moderate  and  warm.  Mr. 
Cabot  condescends  to  offer  me  the  house  where  Mr.  G. 
lived,  for  the  present,  until  his  son's  return. 

9.  Sunday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  I  first  speak  with  Mr. 
Cabot  as  to  his  house  and  as  to  an  office. 

10.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  moderate  weather.  Mr. 
Vans  calls  and  speaks  to  me  about  a  house,  and  about 
Mr.  West's  disappointment  as  to  his  house. 

11.  Tuesday.  I  go  to  Middleton  to  Eli  Curtis'  for 
Mr.  Cabot,  Mrs.  Hunt,  etc.,  as  to  debts  due  from  him. 

12.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  moderate.  Vendue  of 
Capt.  Webb's  goods  for  Messervy.  I  have  a  letter  from 
N.  Sparhawk  with  Bickford's  notes. 

13.  Thursday.  I  write  to  Mr.  Sparhawk.  In  the 
afternoon  went  to  Flint's,  Danvers.  At  evening  Dr. 
Holyoke  and  Mr.  Smith,  from  Andover,  here. 

14.  Friday.  Cloudy  morning.  We  hear  of  robberies 
in  Danvers. 

15.  Saturday.  Fine,  warm  day.  We  go  to  Mr. 
Cabot's  house  and  put  canvas  on  the  floors  and  set  up 
the  desk. 

16.  Sunday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E.  [In]  evening  at 
Mr.  Cabot's  ;  Mrs.  P.  at  Mrs.  Curwen's.  More  accounts 
of  the  robbers  in  the  woods  among  snakes  and  the  rocks. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 83 

J.  Hastie  in  town,  and  he  brings  news  of  the  dissolution 
of  Parliament  of  Britain. 

17.  Monday.  Cloudy  morning.  We  begin  to  move 
to  Mr.  Cabot's  house. 

20.  Thursday.     A  fire  at  midnight  ;  the  house  saved. 

21.  Friday.  Cloudy.  I  send  to  Mr.  Sparhawk,  Ports- 
mouth, as  to  lease  of  his  farm. 

23.  Sunday.  Morning,  rains  very  moderately.  Mr. 
Dormer  sets  out  for  Congress. 

24.  Monday.  Cold,  N.  E.  wind,  and  wet.  Mr.  Blaney 
gives  us  an  account  of  his  tour  to  No.  River  with  G. 
Lincoln,  and  that  he  hears  by  a  vessel  from  Bermuda 
that  Gov.  Browne  is  not  to  tarry  long  there. 

26.  Wednesday.  Election  Day.  John  with  his  horse 
beat  at  the  horse-race  in  Danvers.    Mr.  Haley  at  Boston. 

27.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  sunshine  by  turns  ;  the 
wind  east  all  day.  I  go  to  Danvers  and  deliver  the  key 
of  Mr.  Orne's  house,  with  offers  to  whitewash  the  rooms, 
make  up  the  fences,  and  make  good  all  damages  done 
by  my  family.  I  write  to  N.  Sparhawk,  Esqr.,  by  Colo. 
Atkinson.  Gov'r  Hancock's  house,  land,  etc.,  are  at- 
tached by  Capt.  Erwin. 

28.  Friday.  I  remove  my  books  and  office  to  Mrs. 
Curwen's  shop. 

29.  Saturday.  A  fine  day,  but  wind  E.,  and  cool.  At 
evening  I  receive  a  letter  from  S.  C,  Esq.,  of  March 
last ;  Mr.  Vans  brought  it ;  C.  is  a  Whig,  yet  can't  trust 
those  here. 

30.  Sunday.  Whitsunday.  Mrs.  Piemont,  sister,  and 
daughter  at  church. 

31.  Monday.  Cloudy,  but  warm  and  moderate  ;  wind 
S.  E.  Says  V.  :  Why  don't  you  write  neighbor  C.  that 
he  may  come  directly  home  without  harm  or  risque  ? 
A.  Why  don't  you  write  so  yourself  ?      V.  I  do,  but  he 


1 84  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

will  not  believe  me.  Q.  Why  ?  V.  Because  I  am  a 
Whig.  Q.  Do  you  wonder  at  the  reason,  when  the  Acts 
of  [the]  Assembly  subject  him  to  be  taken  up,  etc.,  etc., 
on  his  return  ?  Mr.  Wilds  comes.  See  the  new  face  of 
political  matters  in  the  faces  of  new  House  and  Courts. 
June  i.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  I  use  a  stove 
in  the  office.     Mr.  Smith  calls. 

3.  Thursday.  Fine,  warm  day  ;  wind  W.  I  go  to 
Danvers,  and  do  not  write  to  N.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  but 
write  to  Mr.  Curwen,  inclosed  in  [a]  letter  to  Mr. 
Smith,  Boston,  by  an  Ipswich  man  going  for  Abr'm 
Knowlton. 

4.  Friday.  Fine,  moderate  day,  warm  in  the  afternoon. 
Rumours  of  Mr.  Curwen's  sailing  from  England  in 
Emerton,  but  query. 

5.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Amory,  Green- 
leaf,  and  .  .  .  from  college,  to  dine  with  John  ;  Knowl- 
ton from  Ipswich. 

6.  Sunday.  A  very  warm  day.  At  church  all  day.  In 
the  afternoon  Mr.  Wetmore's  daughter  christened,  Waldo ; 
Mr.  Waldo  and  Mrs.  Orne  sponsors,  with  Mr.  Wetmore. 

7.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  day.  Walker,  the 
Irish  sailor,  committed  at  the  suit  of  Russell  for  assault. 

9.  Wednesday.  A  cool,  cloudy  morning  ;  wind  rises 
and  clouds  go  off.  A  dispute  between  the  Selectmen 
and  Rust  as  to  the  erecting  his  house  and  encroaching 
on  the  street. 

11.  Friday.  Cloudy,  cool  morning.  Salem  Select- 
men and  Rust  disputing  about  the  bounds  of  the  street. 

12.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  James  Andrews  desires  his 
regards  to  Colo.  Frye,  and,  if  he  will  come  home,  he  will 
vote  for  his  being  Governor. 

13.  Sunday.  Cool  day.  We  have  a  good  fire.  Eng- 
lish preacher. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  185 

15.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  set  out  for  Ipswich 
Court. 

16.  Wednesday.  [In  the]  evening  I  return  from  Ips- 
wich, having  judgment  affirmed  on  my  complaints. 

18.  Friday.  Thieves  brought  from  Marblehead  who 
broke  open  Roads'  shop. 

19.  Saturday.  Morning,  I  return  to  Ipswich  Court, 
and  get  there  by  9  a.  m.,  as  the  bell  is  tolling  for  the 
Court. 

21.  Monday.  Clear,  and  very  warm.  Stevens  comes 
for  execution,  alias  Richardson  v.  Chickering,  and  says 
Richardson  sent  for  it  and  ordered  it,  and  would  indem- 
nify me  for  consenting,  if  Court  denied  it;  and  since, 
to-day,  I  find  Richardson  denies  his  sending.  Richard 
Manning  came  and  attempted  to  make  a  bargain  w\th 
me  to  act  for  the  town  without  pay,  that  is,  without  other 
pay  than  I  could  get  of  the  town's  debtors  ;  I  told  him 
my  circumstances  did  not  admit,  at  my  years,  my  doing 
business  for  nothing,  or  at  such  a  hazard.  Have  I  in 
this  given  the  town  or  Sir  Richard  just  cause  of  offence? 

24.  TJiursday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  S.  E.  Wrote  to  Mr. 
Sparhawk  by  post.  Invited  to  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's 
with  [the]  Governor  of  Virginia  to-morrow. 

25.  Friday.  Warm  day.  A  large  company  dine  at 
Mr.  Goodale's ;  [the]  Governor's  business  requiring  him 
to  hasten  out  of  town,  he  could  not  stop  to  dine,  and 
Mr.  Blaney  was  by  the  company  nominated  to  act  [as] 
Governor  for  the  time,  and  it  being  hot  he  licensed  the 
company  to  dine  in  their  gowns  and  caps  ;  the  company 
accordingly  sent  for  them  and  dined  in  them,  and  a 
genteel  dinner,  allowed  by  all  to  be  quite  governmental. 

26.  Saturday.  Excessively  hot ;  Dr.  Holyoke's  ther- 
mometer was  at  106  in  the  shade,  Mr.  Prince's  at  118 
in  the  sun.     Most  of  this  hot  day  is  spent  in  searching 


1 86  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

for  C.  Webb's  note,  etc.,  v.  Fogerty  ;  never  fear,  when 
I  'm  not  looking  for  them  they  '11  be  found. 

27.  Sunday.  Very  warm  this  morning.  Mr.  Fisher 
absent,  and  we  have  no  church  opened  to-day  ;  well !  it 's 
a  day  for  rest,  and  rest  I  want  from  business  for  July 
Court.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  this  morning  from  Bos- 
ton ;  he  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  go  to  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  call 
at  my  house  as  they  go  ;  [they]  return  on  foot  and  do 
not  call. 

Jnly  2.  Friday.  Jos.  Grafton  returns  from  the 
Havanna  via  New  York  and  through  Providence,  and 
brings  letters  from  Mr.  Oliver. 

3.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  this  morning  ;  no 
cleaning  and  sweeping  the  streets,  though  money  was 
raised  for  the  purpose.  Mr.  Noyes  here.  Mr.  Wilds 
this  morning  goes  to  Topsfield,  Mr.  Smith  for  Andover. 
Mr.  Jos.  Grafton  calls  at  the  window  to  ask  how  we  do  ; 
he  appears  exceedingly  improved  by  travelling,  and  is 
very  polite  and  easy  in  his  manners  and  address.  Mr. 
S.  Orne  taken  ill. 

4.  Sunday.  Clear  and  moderate.  At  church  all  day  ; 
p.  m.,  Mr.  Goodale  and  Gee  sit  with  me  ;  the  latter  a 
native  of  Lisbon,  educated  in  England,  now  lives  at 
Philadelphia.  A  merchant,  well  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Dormer,  spent  the  evening  with  me. 

5.  Monday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  S.  W.  Mr.  Gee  goes  to 
Marblehead  with  F.  Goodale  ;  he  spent  the  evening  with 
us  at  the  Club  at  Mr.  Blaney's. 

6.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  morning;  wind  at  N.  E. 
Mr.  Gee  sets  out  for  Boston  in  the  stage  with  my  letter 
to  Mr.  O.,  at  Providence,  requesting  notice  to  be  taken 
of  Mr.  Gee  as  a  stranger  and  traveller. 

7.  Wednesday.  A  clear,  pleasant  day.  Mr.  Smith 
intimates  that  John  may  have  a  degree  at  college  upon 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  187 

application  for  it.  Haraden  and  Smith  and  Patty  seem 
preparing  for  a  12-month  tattling  match.  The  Topsfield 
Council  at  work  as  to  Mr.  Breck,  and  to  secure  him 
against  the  disaffected  of  his  congregation. 

8.  Thursday.  Hot  and  dry  ;  wind  S.  W.  Mr.  Smith, 
of  Boston,  here,  and  gives  [an]  account  of  Mr.  Curwen, 
etc.,  in  England. 

10.  Saturday.  Cool  and  clear.  L.  Oliver  returns 
from  Providence  ;  leaves  all  well  and  brings  a  letter  ; 
Mr.  Gee  had  not  been  there. 

11.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  L.  Oliver  brings  ac- 
count from  Providence  of  Miss  Temple's  attempting  to 
destroy  herself  by  [laudanum]  repeatedly,  and  that  the 
potions  she  took  were  brought  up,  being  disagreeable  to 
her  stomach.  The  laudanum  kept  her  asleep  [so]  that 
she  could  not  be  awaked  for  hours,  a.  m.,  at  church  ; 
the  organist  lame  and  the  singing  worse  than  none. 

12.  Monday.  Warm  and  clear.  Labourers  begin  this 
morning  to  sweep  the  paved  street. 

13.  Tuesday.     The  Court  meet. 

17.  Saturday.  Moderate.  The  Court  and  Bar  dine 
with  me. 

1 9.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  wet.  Reference  —  Gallison 
and  Lee  meet. 

21.  Wednesday.  Commencement ;  Mrs.  McCauley  and 
Mrs.  Haley  there.  Mr.  Smith  gives  me  Mr.  Curwen's 
journal  of  his  tour. 

22.  Thursday.  Very  warm.  We  return  from  Com- 
mencement p.  M.     Rains  at  night. 

23.  Friday.  Cool  and  clear.  A  tree  struck  with 
lightning  by  Mackentire's.     Rains  at  night. 

24.  Saturday.  The  streets  are  wet  this  morning  ;  the 
weather  warm.  At  night  I  read  Mr.  Curwen's  journal 
to  Mrs.  C,  and  she  is  much  entertained. 


1 88  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

25.  Sunday.  Clear  and  warm.  Mr.  Eliot1  preaches 
at  Mr.  Prince's  meeting ;  I  go  there  to  hear  so  good  a 
rhetorician,  so  good  a  preacher,  so  honest,  so  good  a 
man. 

26.  Monday.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Stevens  set  out  on 
their  journey  for  Connecticut.  About  11  o'clock  a 
plentiful  rain.  Mr.  Eliot  here  at  tea  ;  growing  grave. 
[In  the]  evening  at  Dr.  Putnam's.  Mr.  Blaney  returns 
from  Boston,  having  been  introduced  to  Mrs.  Haley  and 
Mrs.  McCauley.  I  receive  a  letter  from  R.  Lechmere, 
Esq.,2  who  laments  his  not  disguising  his  political  senti- 
ments, and  his  not  having  conducted  with  more  duplicity 
than  he  did  while  in  the  country.  I  write  to  Dr.  Thomas 
Pynchon,3  at  Guilford,  by  Mr.  Wetmore. 

27.  Tuesday.  Sessions  adjournment.  Mr.  Sewall, 
Mrs.  Wetmore,  and  Miss  Waldo  dine  here. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Sessions  proceed. 
John  goes  to  Flax  Pond  a-fishing  with  Major  Sprague 
and  company.  Letter  and  sermon  from  Mr.  Bliss, 
Springfield. 

29.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  company  visit  at 
Capt.  Haraden's  and  W.  Gray's. 

30.  Friday.  A  fine,  cool,  clear  day.  John  goes  a-fish- 
ing at  Spring  Pond  with  J.  Nutting  and  Davenport,  and 
brings  home  plenty  of  perch,  etc.,  and  they  sup  here. 
Mr.  Vans  and  wife,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders  here  at  tea 
and  part  of  the  evening.  Nutting  and  company  sup  with 
John  on  fish  in  the  parlour. 

31.  Saturday.     A  fine,  cool  day.     I  go  with  Stephen 

1  Rev.  John  Eliot  succeeded  his  father,  Andrew,  as  minister  of  the  New 
North  Church,  in  1779. 

2  Richard  Lechmere,  at  one  time  Collector  of  Customs,  was  one  of  the 
best  bred  men  in  New  England.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Nicholas,  Lord 
Lechmere,  in  the  reign  of  George  I. 

3  The  son  of  Joseph  Pynchon  and  nephew  of  William  Pynchon. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 89 

Webb  to  get  possession  for  him  on  Cook's  mortgage, 
and  with  forbearance  and  patience  under  the  reproaches 
of  the  woman's  tongue,  we  prevail,  and  get  a  release  of 
Cook's  right  of  redemption.  We  have  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Oliver,  by  Mr.  Jenkins,  of  Providence,  mentioning  Gov. 
Browne  and  lady's  arrival  at  Newport. 

August  1.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  and  So.  West  wind  ;  a 
little  rain  last  night ;  warm  air  this  morning.  Mrs. 
Piemont  and  fair  daughter  dine  with  us.  Sam'l  Orne 
rides  out  with  John  twice  to-day  and  bears  it  well,  yet 
Dr.  O.  doubts  as  to  his  recovery,  and  thinks  it  advisable 
for  him  to  take  a  trip  to  Halifax,  or  a  long  journey  while 
he  can  bear  either. 

4.  Wednesday.  I,  with  Mr.  Blaney  and  others,  set  out 
in  the  stage  for  Boston  upon  our  tour  for  Newport  ; 
arrive  at  B.,  dine  there,  and  engage  a  passage  for  Prov- 
idence in  the  stage.  I  write  to  Bro.  Pynchon  from 
Boston. 

5.  TJiursday.  At  4  a.  m.  we  start  in  the  stage  with 
Capt.  Carr,  breakfast  at  Gay's,  Dedham,  dine  at  Hatch's, 
and  get  to  Mr.  Oliver's  at  tea  ;  Mr.  B.  and  I  lodge  at  Mr. 
Chace's. 

6.  Friday.  After  breakfast,  Capt.  Carr,  Mr.  B.,  Patty, 
and  I  set  out  in  packet  for  Newport ;  have  a  pleasant 
gale  and  clear  skies,  and  in  4  1/2  hours  arrive  at  the 
wharf  in  Newport,  and  dine  at  Amie's,  where  we  engage 
lodgings  ;  none  were  sick. 

7.  Saturday.  Dine  at  Mr.  Wickam's  with  Mrs.  Browne 
and  her  two  daughters.  Patty  rides  out  with  Dr.  Tup- 
per,  who  alarms  her  much  by  telling  her  that  she  is  in- 
clined to  an  hectic  habit.  In  the  afternoon  Mrs.  Browne 
and  I,  the  Captain,  Blaney,  and  a  number  of  gentlemen 
and  ladies,  ride,  and  some  walk  out,  some  to  Malbone's 
Garden,  some  to  Redwood's,  several  of  us  at  both  ;  are 


190  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

entertained  very  agreeably  at  each  place  ;  tea,  coffee, 
cakes,  syllabub,  and  English  beer,  etc.,  [and]  punch  and 
wine.  We  return  at  evening ;  hear  a  song  of  Mrs. 
Shaw's  and  are  highly  entertained  ;  the  ride,  the  road, 
the  prospects,  the  gardens,  the  company,  in  short,  every- 
thing was  most  agreeable,  most  entertaining  —  was  ad- 
mirable. 

8.  Sunday.  [In  the]  morning  we  go  up  in  a  packet 
for  Providence,  and  arrive  in  3  1/2  hours,  and  dine  at 
Mr.  Oliver's  ;  there  being  a  little  rain  all  went  into  the 
cabin,  and  the  wind  being  high  and  the  passage  rough, 
some  began  to  complain  a  little  of  sickness,  and  all  of  us, 
retaining  the  motion  of  the  vessel,  rested  ourselves,  and 
did  not  go  out  to  church. 

9.  Monday.  Two  stages  set  out  for  Boston,  and  I  do 
not  go,  being  told  that  several  will  be  ready  to  go  on 
Tuesday  ;  so  Mr.  O.  and  I  go  about  to  visit  the  Tombs, 
the  Town  House,  and  the  Library  there,  Mr.  Carter's 
bookstore,  Mr.  Foster,  the  lawyer,  and  his  brother  of 
the  Brookfield  family,  sons  of  Judge  Foster. 

10.  Tuesday.  I  went  to  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Russell, 
by  all  agreed  to  be  a  most  amiable  person,  and  to  sustain 
the  best  of  characters  ;  she  was  a  Quaker,  and  was  car- 
ried into  the  meeting,  where  all  appeared  to  be  so  affected 
that  the  speaker  and  hearers  could  scarce  bear  the  sight 
or  go  on. 

11.  Wednesday.  [In  the]  morning,  at  5,  we  set  out  in 
[the]  stage  for  Boston  ;  I  take  up  the  Capt.'s  cane  and 
bring  it  home  ;  we  arrive  at  Boston  in  the  evening  about 
8  o'clock  ;  a  French  young  gentleman  was  one  of  our 
company  who  came  over  with  the  Marquis  De  La  Fayette. 

12.  Thursday.  At  Boston,  I  call  on  Mrs.  Waldo,  on 
Mr.  Bowdoin,  on  Mrs.  Rea ;  dine  at  Mrs.  Mascarene's 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slater j  set  out  for  Salem  in  the  after- 


1784.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  191 

noon,  and  arrive  at  8  o'clock  ;  I  write  to  Bro.  Pynchon, 
and  hear  his  family  have  removed  to  live  at  Shelburne. 

13.  Friday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Mitchell  Sewall,  on 
his  return  from  Boston,  calls  on  us.  Wrote  in  answer 
to  M.  Bliss,  Esq. 

14.  Saturday.  Clear  and  warm.  John  Parker  here 
from  Boston.  Sam'l  Orne  no  better ;  he  continues  yet 
at  Danvers  ;  he  went  thither  last  Tuesday,  and  little 
Caty  came  down  to  tarry  with  us.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell, 
son  and  daughter,  came  in  the  stage  to  Mr.  Cabot's. 

15.  Sunday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Smith  preaches 
all  day  for  Mr.  Barnard.  John  Higginson  here  on 
Thursday,  Friday,  Saturday,  and  this  day  several  times, 
and  it  is  supposed  that  he  has  left  his  master's  brother 
and  Thorndike. 

16.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  In  evening  at  Mr.  Wet- 
more's  at  tea,  and  at  Mr.  Turner's  dancing-school  —  a 
large  collection  of  young  people,  two  large  sets.  Mr. 
Blaney  returns  from  Providence ;  at  Dr.  Holyoke's  in 
the  evening  with  the  Club.  I  finish  my  letter  to  Moses 
Bliss,  Esq. 

18.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Orne  dines  here.  Dr. 
Prince  comes  in  from  Halifax. 

19.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  Dr.  Prince  is  graciously  re- 
ceived here  by  all  ranks,  even  by  the  intolerant  G.  W.'s 
and  T.  M-n.  I  wrote  by  J.  Grafton  to  Mr.  Oliver  at 
Providence,  and  to  Mrs.  Browne  at  Newport.  I  go  to 
Danvers  as  to  Gridley  v.  Moriarty. 

20.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  I  go  to  Mr.  Goodhue's 
at  his  desire,  respecting  Mrs.  Lynde's  affair  of  the  plate, 
but  Mr.  Goodhue  declines  taking  it  till  Mr.  Fitch  or  Mr. 
Browne  shall  come. 

21.  Saturday.  I  write  by  Capt.  Lanjevais  to  Brother 
Pynchon.     Sent  the  horse  to  Phelps'  bare  pasture. 


192  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

24.  Tuesday.  Cloudy ;  wind  N.  E.  Wrote  to  S. 
Phillips,  Jr.,  Esq.,  as  to  N.  Sparhawk.  Sent  the  horse 
from  Phelps'  to  Waters'. 

25.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  go  to  Mr.  Fisher's 
and  to  the  Assembly  Room.  In  the  evening  Fra.  Cabot 
came  into  Beverly  in  a  jolly  boat ;  he  left  the  ship  in 
the  bay  to  pursue  his  voyage  to  Boston,  having  been 
60  days  on  the  voyage  from  Bristol  ;  Mr.  Cabot  calls  to 
see  us  in  the  evening.  John's  friend,  Gatchell,  of  Mar- 
blehead,  dines  with  us  to-day.  I  have  a  letter  from  J. 
Sewall,  Esq.,  and  from  J.  Bartlett ;  poor  Jane  Sewall  is 
gone  to  rest. 

26.  Thursday.  A  fine  day ;  somewhat  cloudy.  Wrote 
to  Mr.  Oliver  by  Mr.  Swain.  I  have  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Atherton,  and  answer  it  by  Mr.  Dennis. 

28.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  but  warm.  Go  to  the  exhibi- 
tion at  Mr.  Noyes'  school,  and  in  evening  at  Mr.  Hig- 
ginson's  with  Dr.  Prince,  Dr.  Putnam,  and  Mr.  Goodale. 
Have  letters  from  Providence  by  Mr.  Grafton. 

29.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  day.  Miss  Blake 
and  co.,  of  Carolina,  at  church. 

30.  Monday.  A  very  warm  morning.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fisher  here,  and  Mrs.  Gerrish.  Billy  Wetmore  is  more 
than  happy  with  his  present  of  marbles. 

31.  Tuesday.  A  very  warm  morning;  clear.  Mr. 
Hunt  here  from  Boston,  Mr.  Orne  also.  It  rains,  thun- 
ders, and  lightens  at  night.  We  are  at  Mr.  Goodale's 
with  Mr.  Noyes  and  two  Carolina  young  gentlemen. 
Mrs.  Robie  and  daughter  and  Mrs.  Johonnot  dined  at 
Mr.  Goodale's  to-day,  and  Mrs.  Higginson  and  her 
daughter,  Hitty,  meet  them  there  ;  have  a  cool  meeting 
indeed ! 

September  1.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Letter  from  Mr. 
Sparhawk. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  1 93 

2.  Thursday.  Cloudy  day,  and  cool.  Mrs.  Robie 
comes  over  with  her  daughter  to  go  to  Halifax.  I  an- 
swer Mr.  Sparhawk  for  orders  to  take  Abbot's  land,  and 
that  I  cannot  take  it  without  orders,  and  cannot  compel 
payment  of  the  money. 

3.  Friday.  Mrs.  McCauley  in  town.  Dr.  Prince  sails 
with  Mrs.  Robie  and  daughter  for  Halifax;  Mr.  Goodale 
goes  out  with  them,  and  his  son  F.  I  send  Mr.  Deblois 
goods  per  list.  At  3  p.  m.,  John  returns  from  Ipswich 
with  Kimball,  glutted  with  musick,  weddings,  and  frol- 
icking, 't  is  to  be  hoped. 

4.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  I  settle  with  Gen'l  Dodge  of 
Ipswich. 

5.  Sunday.  Cool  morning ;  wind  E.  Mr.  Fisher 
preached  two  excellent  sermons  at  church  to-day ;  Mrs. 
Orne  came  to  church. 

9.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Dr.  Holyoke,  Good- 
ale,  and  co.  go  to  Phillips'  beach.  Letters  from  S.  Cur- 
wen,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Lane,  etc.,  by  Trecothick's  ship. 
Mr.  Cabot  is  expected  to  come  in  Calahan. 

10.  Friday.  Warm  day.  News  of  Capt.  Johnson's 
arrival  from  London  into  Boston,  and  that  Messrs.  Cur- 
wen,  Cabot,  Bartlett,  Pickman,  etc.,  had  sailed  for  Amer- 
ica about  the  time  of  Johnson's  sailing  ;  he  had  about  32 
days'  passage.  Mr.  D.  Oliver  brings  John's  pistols  from 
Bartlett.  Mrs.  Curwen  puts  on  her  silks,  etc.,  expecting 
the  squire  in  the  stage,  but  lo,  the  stage  arrives  without 
him  ! 

11.  Saturday.  Cool  morning;  wind  E.  Mr.  Orne 
comes,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark,  to  see  Sam'l  O. 

12.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  morning  ;  wind  S.  I  go  to 
church  in  the  morning  ;  strangers  in  my  pew  ;  I  sit  in 
Mr.  Wetmore's.  Mr.  D.  Oliver  here  in  the  evening ; 
gives  no  pleasing  account  of  London,  nor  of  anything  in 

l3 


194  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

Ireland  or  England  agreeable  to  him,  save  the  dramatic 
performances. 

13.  Monday.  Clear  and  cool.  Very  little  business  in 
the  judicial  line  to  be  done.  Bot  wrangles  and  calls 
names  about  G.  Deblois'  affair. 

14.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  fair  and  cold.  No  money- 
stirring,  not  enough  to  go  to  law  with,  tho'  the  last  of 
arresting  for  September  Court.  I  had  not  at  sunset  re- 
ceived one  dollar  for  the  business  of  the  day.  Bot  is 
found  in  the  wrong. 

15.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold.  I  go  with  Stevens 
to  Moriarty's  to  relieve  him  and  help  him  out  of  his  dis- 
tresses ;  his  creditors  and  his  bail  have  his  body  and 
estate,  yet  keep  their  suits  going  on  to  his  distraction. 
Haraden  and  owners  are  getting  together  by  the  ears 
about  the  robberies  and  piracies,  and  dividing  the  spoil. 

16.  Thursday.  A  cool  morning ;  wind  N.  W.  By 
Patterson  we  hear  that  Bartlett's  goods  have  been  taken 
from  him,  and  that  he  is  not  coming  out ;  that  B.  Pick- 
man's  baggage  is  on  board,  but  he  stays  behind,  is  going 
to  France,  and  what  not ;  that  W.  Cabot  is  not  coming. 
What  aileth  Patterson  that  he  brings  such  improbable 
accounts  ? 

20.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Mr.  Longfellow  dines 
with  me.  John  returns  from  Marblehead.  Turner's 
scholars'  ball  at  night  —  above  100  ladies. 

21.  Tuesday.  Cool  morning.  A  ship  from  London 
goes  up  to  Boston  ;  look  out  for  S.  C.  Blaney  comes 
about  voyage  to  Providence. 

22.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold  ;  a  frost  last  night. 
We  hear  of  very  bad  weather  in  the  bay.  Where  are 
Calahan  and  Ingersoll  ? 

23.  Thursday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  S.  and  warm.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cabot,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter,  here  at  tea.  Letters 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  195 

from  London,  and  none  from  Bartlett.  Colo.  Browne's 
house  is  sold  at  vendue  to-day,  with  store  and  land.  I 
spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Oliver's  with  Dr.  Putnam,  Mr. 
Goodale,  and  Noyes. 

24.  Friday.  Very  warm  ;  at  night  very  foggy.  Cala- 
han  gets  into  Boston,  and  W.  Cabot  lands  there. 

25.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  foggy  morning.  At  4  P.  M., 
Capt.  Ingersoll  gets  into  Boston,  with  Mr.  Curwen  on 
board  ;  Mrs.  Curwen  hath  an  hysterick  fit  on  hearing 
the  news  ;  Mr.  Cabot,  the  father,  is  in  high  spirits,  and 
offers  to  dance  a  minuet  on  this  Saturday,  and  is  satis- 
fied that  there  is  no  sin  in  it.  Colo.  Pickman's  family 
gloomy  at  his  not  returning. 

26.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  warm  day.  Mr. 
Boden  and  wife  in  town.  Mr.  Curwen  comes  home  to 
his  house ;  Mrs.  C.  has  fits.  Mr.  W.  Cabot  returns  in 
the  evening,  et  gaudia  quanta  fuere  ! 

27.  Monday.  Cloudy ;  N.  E.  wind.  Mrs.  Orne  and 
Blaney  defer  their  tour  on  account  of  the  weather.  John 
and  I  set  out  for  Newbury  Court,  and  lodge,  Tudor  in 
com[pany],  at  Piemont's,  Ipswich. 

28.  Tuesday.     Fine  weather.     Dine  at  Mr.  Parsons'. 

29.  Wednesday.     Fine  day.     Dine  at  Mr.  Browne's. 

30.  Thursday.  Dine  at  Mr.  Bradbury's  with  the  law- 
yers ;  John  with  us. 

October  2.  Sahirday.  Clear,  fine  day.  We  set  out 
from  Newbury  and  arrived  at  Ipswich ;  lodged  at  Ho- 
man's. 

3.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  We  get  home  at 
9  o'clock  to  breakfast.  W.  Cabot,  Carpenter,  Noyes, 
etc.,  here  in  the  evening.  Great  rejoicings  in  Salem 
for  Capt.  Haraden's  success  against  Williams  and  co. 
about  privateering  matters  ;  sic  transit  gloria  mtmdi. 

5.    Tuesday.     A   cool   morning.     We   dine  with  Mr. 


196  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

and  Mrs.  Curwen  at  Mr.  Goodale's,  and  W.  Cabot  there 
also  ;  we  are  highly  entertained  with  Mr.  Curwen's  ac- 
counts, anecdotes,  etc.,  from  England. 

6.  Wednesday.  A  cool  day.  Mr.  Curwen  in  a  great 
rage  ;  says  he  is  fit  only  for  Bedlam. 

7.  Thursday.  Mr.  Curwen  goes  in  a  pet  to  Boston  ; 
says  he  can't  pay  15/  in  the  pound. 

8.  Friday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Curwen  returns  in 
good  spirits. 

9.  Saturday.  The  town  talk  is  of  the  Collector  S. 
Webb's  doings  and  rudeness  in  seizing  the  Widow  Pick- 
man's  furniture  for  taxes  ;  every  one  sympathizes  with 
her  and  her  friends  on  account  of  the  indignity.  W. 
Cabot  calls  to  see  us.  Mr.  Noyes  at  tea  ;  Mr.  Goodale, 
Wetmore,  Mrs.  Goodale,  and  Susan  Higginson  in  the 
evening. 

11.  Monday.  Set  out  with  Mr.  Wetmore  in  his  chaise 
for  Newbury  Court,  and  get  there  about  3  o'clock  p.  m.  ; 
no  Court. 

12.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Oliver  and  Sally,  with  their  two 
daughters,  Mrs.  Browne,  and  her  daughter,  and  Mrs. 
Orne  return  from  Providence. 

1 3.  Wednesday.  We  get  home  from  Ipswich  to  break- 
fast, and  find  Mrs.  Browne,  lady  of  Gov.  Browne  of 
Bermuda,  with  her  daughter  and  servant,  at  our  house  ; 
her  child  ill  —  very  ill ;  Mrs.  Orne  also  with  them. 

14.  Tfairsday.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Deblois  of  Halifax. 
Mrs.  Browne's  daughter  keeps  chamber  ;  her  servant  is 
taken  ill,  and  has  a  fire  also  in  kitchen  chamber,  and 
keeps  bed. 

15.  Friday.  Doct.  Whitaker  goes  off,  and  his  family 
are  to  go  off  at  night ;  people  begin  to  sue  for  security, 
but  find  his  doors  shut.     A  warm  night  this. 

16.  Saturday.    Cloudy  morning,  but  warm  day.    Mrs. 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  197 

Browne's  daughter  and  servant  grow  worse  ;  at  eve 
Mrs.  Browne  hath  Mr.  Fisher  to  pray  with  them,  and  is 
in  very  great  distress.  I  move  my  books  and  papers 
this  evening  to  Mrs.  Chandler's  room,  next  to  Mr. 
Blyth's. 

17.  Sunday.  Cold,  N.  E.  wind.  Mrs.  Browne's 
daughter  and  servant  grow  worse ;  the  servant's  speech 
fails,  and  hiccough  increases ;  a  note  at  church  and  one 
at  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting  is  put  up  for  them ;  Mr.  Blaney 
calls  and  tarries  the  forenoon  with  Mrs.  Browne,  dines 
with  us,  and  tarries  till  night.  The  [servant]  grows  bet- 
ter, and  the  daughter  not  worse;  our  hopes  increase 
that  she  yet  may  revive. 

18.  Monday.  Morning  at  4  o'clock  Mrs.  Pynchon 
was  called  up  by  Mrs.  T.  Lee,  who  watched  with  Miss 
Browne,  and  found  the  child  fainting  ;  the  child  revived 
again  soon  ;  Dr.  H[olyoke]  too  was  called  up  and  came. 
The  servant-girl  grows  better  apace ;  this  circumstance 
affords  much  consolation  to  Mrs.  B. 

19.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  I  purchase  a  cord 
of  walnut  wood  and  bark  for  my  new  office.  This 
morning  Miss  Browne  is  apparently  relieved. 

21.  Thursday.  Cool.  Last  night  we  were  called  up 
again,  and  the  doctor  called  up  to  Miss  Browne,  who 
grew  worse. 

23.  Saturday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  I  set  out  for 
Woburn  on  Mr.  Sparhawk's  business,  and  lodge  at  Toy's. 

24.  Sunday.  Morning  I  go  to  Billerica  and  put  up  at 
Pollard's  ;  tea  at  Mr.  White's. 

25.  Monday.  Return  to  Woburn  to  inquire  further 
of  Mr.  Wyeth  as  to  Stoddard's  and  Sparhawk's  affairs. 
At  night  I  return  home,  and  find  Mrs.  Browne's  daughter 
and  servant  grown  better.  Sarah  Martin  taken  ill  of  a 
cold. 


198  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

26.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  The  sick  mending 
gradually.  Mrs.  H.  Derby  to  see  Mrs.  Browne  in  the 
evening.  Mr.  Blaney  here,  complaining  that,  notwith- 
standing his  great  attachment  to  the  ladies,  he  could 
persuade  none  to  marry  him.  Miss  Gerrish  was  asked 
if  she  could  not  recommend  him  to  some  [one]  who 
would  accept  him ;  she  answered  that  she  could.  But 
will  she  go  and  live  at  Wenham  ?  She  answered  that 
the  lady  would.  He  desired  the  favour  of  her  name;  she 
answered  it  was  A.  Gerrish;  can  you  object?  Oh,  no, 
Miss  Gerrish,  but  does  Miss  G.  know  that  there  are 
bears  at  Wenham  ?  She  answered  in  the  affirmative, 
and  silenced  him. 

27.  Wednesday.  The  sick  folk  grow  better.  News 
that  M.  De  La  Fayette  is  coming  to  Salem. 

28.  Thursday.  Mr.  Wheeler  at  Mr.  Fisher's.  Prim. 
Goodale  hath  his  hands  full  ;  no  rest  by  day  or  night ; 
the  Marquis  is  coming ! 

29.  Friday.  Cloudy  morning.  The  Marquis  La  Fay- 
ette comes  to  town  attended  by  .  .  .  coaches  [and]  other 
carriages,  [and]  young  gentlemen  on  horseback  ;  they 
alight  at  Mr.  Goodale's  and  take  some  refreshment,  and 
chat  awhile  ;  then  the  company,  clergymen,  including 
the  modest  Dr.  W.,  and  merchants  and  mechanics,  walk 
through  the  streets,  the  rabble  giving  them  three  cheers 
at  each  corner,  the  co[mpany]  all  having  their  hats  on 
except  the  Marquis  ;  the  cofmpany]  dine  at  the  Assem- 
bly Room,  [and]  Judge  John  Pickering  reads  off  a  speech 
to  the  Marquis  ;  he  returns  it  memoritet ;  the  musick  was 
.  .  .  ;  they  drank  tea  at  S.  Page's,  and  had  a  ball  at  the 
A.  Room  [in  the]  evening.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  return 
from  the  ball ;  the  French  Chevalier  walks  a  minuet 
with  Miss  Williams  ;  the  Marquis  hath  a  stiff  knee  and 
danceth  none  ;  the  room  was  full  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men ;  they  break  up  at  half  past  12  o'clock. 


1 734-]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  199 

30.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  some  wet.  The  Marquis 
and  suit  went  out  of  town  at  5  a.  m.,  to  dine  at  Ports- 
mouth. The  employment  of  each  circle,  club,  and  tea- 
table  in  Salem  is  in  finding  and  proving  and  disputing  as 
to  neglects  and  affronts  respecting  the  entertainments 
and  ball  for  the  Marquis. 

31.  Sunday.  Mrs.  Sargent  and  Patty  Pynchon  come 
after  meeting  to  see  Mrs.  Browne ;  Mr.  Blaney  comes 
also  [as]  mediator,  and  all  goes  on  smoothly  and  cleverly. 

November  I.     Monday.     Mrs.  Anne  Clark  died.1 

2.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  fair.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cur[wen] 
differ  ;  they  sign  contract.2 

3.  Wednesday.  A  fine  morning.  Miss  C.  Browne 
grows  better  daily.  See  in  Hall's  paper  the  malicious 
publication  of  the  2d  instant. 

4.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  In  the  frolic  at  Marble- 
head  they  all  get  groggy  as  soon  as  the  Marquis  left 
them,  having  broken  his  windows. 

5.  Friday.  Cool  and  fair.  Daland  goes  to  Provi- 
dence.   Dr.  Paine  and  wife  and  child  come  from  Halifax. 

1  Mrs.  Clark  was  the  relict  of  Captain  John  Clark. 

2  Although  disturbed  by  the  political  troubles  of  the  time,  Mr.  Curwen 
was  much  depressed  and  embittered  by  a  domestic  cloud  that  cast  a 
shadow  over  the  later  years  of  his  life.  The  following  extract  from  a  let- 
ter from  London,  dated  September  16,  1785,  was  addressed  to  a  friend  in 
Salem  :  — 

"  Should  she  [Mrs.  Curwen]  obstinately  resolve  to  live  and  die  in  Salem, 
though  that  period,  notwithstanding  her  hystericky  habit,  will  be  more 
distant  than  mine,  whenever  it  may  arrive,  't  is  my  express  and  peremptory 
order,  command,  and  injunction  on  my  heirs  that  on  no  consideration  her 
dead  body  be  entombed  with  my  late  niece  or  any  of  my  family,  being  un- 
willing that  her  dust  should  be  mixed  with  that  of  a  family  to  which  she 
bore  enmity  ;  and  I  should  not  be  a  little  deranged  in  the  Resurrection 
morning  to  find  Abigail  Curwen  starting  up  by  my  side  ;  for  I  am  very 
sure,  however  I  may  forgive,  I  cannot  wholly  forget  the  wrong  she  has 
done  me  ;  and  to  be  put  out  of  sorts  at  a  season  so  solemn  and  important 
is  too  mortifying  a  thought  to  indulge." 


200  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

7.  Sunday.  Cool  and  fair.  Mr.  Curwen  and  Mrs. 
Browne  at  church  ;  he  leaves  the  Communion,  she  par- 
takes. I  see  Miss  H.  Lynde  at  tea,  the  only  sight  I 
have  had  of  her  for  25  years. 

8.  Monday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  morning.  Miss 
Browne  grows  stronger  daily,  and  Mrs.  Browne's  affairs 
as  to  Blyth,  the  church,  and  meeting  matters  are  in  a 
fair  way. 

9.  Tuesday.     The  Sup[erior]  Court  meet. 

13.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  wet;  at  night  it  rains. 
The  Court  sit,  and  at  night  receive  in  [a]  verdict  of  ac- 
quittal of  Welcom  on  [an]  indictment  for  assaulting 
Palfrey  ;  the  Court  dines  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

14.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  wet,  after  a  short  space  of 
sunshine  this  morning.  Judges  dishing  and  Sewall 
go  to  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting  with  Mr.  Paine  and  Mr. 
Goodhue  ;  p.  m.,  J.  Cushing  goes  to  church,  and  he,  with 
Sewall,  Paine,  Blaney,  Mr.  Noyes,  etc.,  drink  tea  with 
me  ;  Mrs.  Browne  comes  down  and  is  introduced. 

15.  Monday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  Mrs.  Browne  and 
daughter  go  up  to  Mr.  Orne's  in  Daland's  carriage,  dine 
there,  and  return  at  night.  Miss  B.  is  unwell  and  fever- 
ish at  night,  but  on  the  whole  rests  pretty  well. 

16.  Tuesday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  morning.  At 
about  11  o'clock  Mrs.  Browne  and  family,  with  Mr. 
Blaney,  set  out  in  Daland's  coach  for  Providence  ;  at 
parting  Mrs.  Browne  was  much  overcome,  so  that  she 
could  not  take  leave  in  form  of  her  friends.  Mr.  Murray 
here. 

18.  Thursday.  A  fine  day  ;  a  few  clouds  p.  m.  ;  at 
night  some  rain.  The  Sup[erior]  Court  is  still  sitting, 
and  this  day  Mat.  Fairfield  is  on  tryal  for  uttering  coun- 
terfeit State  notes. 

19.  Friday.     Rain.     Fairfield  is  acquitted.    Haraden's 


1784.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  201 

20.  Saturday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  The  Judges  agree 
to  dine  with  me  to-morrow,  with  Mr.  Lowell. 

21.  Sunday.  Rain  in  the  morning,  and  the  Judges 
can't  come.  J.  Sewall  sets  out  for  York.  At  evening 
Mr.  Parsons  and  Wetmore  come  at  tea. 

22.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  The  Court  meets,  and  at 
noon  adjourns  to  2d  Tuesday  [in]  June. 

23.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  day.  Stevens  sick,  and 
very  few  writs  to  be  served. 

24.  Wednesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  and  Miss  Wetmore 
here  in  the  evening,  and  Miss  Gerrish. 

25.  Thursday.  Thanksgiving.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Good- 
ale  keep  house.  We  dine  at  F.  Cabot's.  News  of  Mor- 
ris being  robbed  of  his  plate,  and  Continental  Treasury 
of  .   .  .   dollars. 

26.  Friday.  Rain  and  cloudy  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Last 
night  the  tide  rose  to  greater  height  than  any  remem- 
ber. Bacon  says  it  was  navel  high  on  the  bridge  by  Mr. 
Ward's  ;  if  so,  it  must  have  come  up  to  the  top  of  Bacon's 
yard  wall. 

December  4.  Saturday.  Andrews,  the  Collector,  ab- 
sconds. 

7.  Tuesday.  I  deliver  to  Capt.  Brookhouse  Mr.  Cur- 
wen's  and  my  letters  for  Judge  Sewall  at  Bristol,  via 
Liverpool. 

9.  Thursday.  Very  cold.  I  write  to  Mr.  Oliver,  and 
inclose  my  letter  to  Gov.  Browne's  lady  at  Newport,  in- 
closing copies  of  Mrs.  Sargent's  two  deeds  made  to  her 
son  Dudley. 

10.  Friday.  Account  of  the  failure  of  Cruger  and 
Company  at  Bristol. 

11.  Saturday.  Morning,  the  Court  adjourns  without 
day.  I  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Curwen's  very  agree- 
ably ;  all  in  good  humour. 


202  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

12.  Sunday.  Mas.  Williams  and  his  bride  go  to 
church,  attended  by  his  daughter,  and  all  is  harmony 
hitherto  ;  but  mark  the  end. 

13.  Monday.  Mr.  Stiles's  sermon  at  Club.  Tom. 
Needham,  Jr.,  absconds  and 

14.  Tuesday.  Is  seen  at  his  chamber  window.  Widow 
Pickering's  funeral  ; x  Deacon  Bickford,  Gray,  D.  King. 

16.  Thursday.  A  fine  morning.  L.  Seaver  solicits 
letters  of  license  for  his  bro[ther],  T.  Needham,  who 
says  many  gentlemen  [are]  shut  up  for  less  than  he. 

19.  Sunday.  Morning,  very  windy  and  a  snow-squall ; 
it  clears  off  about  10  o'clock  ;  the  evening  was  clear 
after  9  ;  I  spent  it  at  T.  Lee's  with  Mrs.  Anderson. 

20.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Messrs.  Pulling  and 
Osgood  go  to  Boston.  I  go  with  Stevens  on  John  Hunt's 
business  to  Dr.  A.  Putnam's. 

21.  Tuesday.  Moderate  weather.  H.  Derby  threatens 
to  ruin  Carpenter  and  Clarke,  declaring  them  not  to  be 
worth  a  groat,  and  that  he  would  strip  their  shop.  Mrs. 
Goodhue  and  Susan,  W.  Cabot,  Carpenter,  A.  Gerrish, 
and  co. 

22.  Wednesday.  Snow,  rain,  hail,  vicissim.  Carpen- 
ter and  co.  propose  making  over  shop  and  goods  to 
secure  themselves  and  creditors,  and  to  prevent  Derby's 
designs  to  break  them  up.  Pulling  and  Osgood  at  Bos- 
ton ;  a  thin  Assembly.  John  at  Ipswich.  H.  Derby 
and  Carpenter  and  Clarke  kick  up  a  dust. 

23.  Thursday.  A  very  cold  night  was  the  last.  E. 
H.  Derby  threatens  to  seize  all  the  goods  of  Carpenter 
and  Clarke. 

24.  Friday.  Very  cold.  Poultry  sells  for  $d.  and  6d.y 
mutton  4d.,  beef  ^\d. 

25.  Saturday.      Cold  Christmas.     Mrs.   P.  ill,  and  I 

1  Mrs.  Mary,  relict  of  Deacon  Timothy  Pickering ;  her  age  was  76. 


1784]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  203 

confined  by  a  cold,  we  dine  by  ourselves  at  a  good, 
warm  fire.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curwen  spend  the  evening 
with  us.  At  night  N.  Rogers  and  co.  and  J.  Peirce 
attach  Carpenter  and  Clarke's  store  and  goods.  Query 
the  event,  if  not  removed. 

27.  Monday.     Carpenter  makes  proposals  to  Derby. 

29.  Wednesday.  Some  snow.  Mr.  Sears  in  town. 
Carpenter  rejects  Derby's  proposals,  and  brings  him  to 

consent  to  his  own  ;  his  uncle  C 1  talks  high,  and 

will  not  be  bound  for  any  man  ;  Carpenter  tells  him  he 
had  no  thought  of  asking  him. 

30.  Thursday.  Carpenter's  friends  do  not  wholly  de- 
sert him,  but  agree  this  day  to  be  sureties  for  him.  Mr. 
Barrett  here. 

31.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cold,  snow  air.  John  has 
under  consideration  Mr.  Wetmore's  proposal  of  his 
office.  Mr.  William  Amory  here  from  Newburyport, 
and  John  sets  out  with  him  in  the  storm,  and  to  return 
Saturday  morning.  This  day  John  went  over  to  Mr. 
Wetmore's  office. 

1785.  January  I.  Saturday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cabot 
consented  to  our  using  the  eastern  room  for  an  office, 
we  to  keep  the  floor  covered,  and  keeping  and  using  the 
room  carefully  ;  and  p.  m.  we  moved  all  from  Chapman's 
house. 

4.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Wetmore  goes  to  Boston.  John 
continues  at  his  office.  Mr.  Blaney,  Mrs.  Wetmore,  and 
Mr.  Phillips  here  in  the  evening. 

5.  Wednesday.     Good  sledding;  wood  from  18/  to  21/. 

6.  Thursday.  S.  Page  and  Fogarty  begin  a  lawsuit 
and  quarrel. 

7.  Friday.    A  fine  day.    Vast  quantities  of  wood. 

8.  Saturday.  A  great  quantity  of  turkeys  and  poultry 
brought  to  market,  ^d.  to  $d. 


204  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [January, 

9.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  p.  m.  Mrs. 
Pynchon  ill,  and  keeps  chamber. 

10.  Monday.  Snow  and  rain  by  turns.  Wood  in 
plenty  ;  mutton  3^.,  poultry  4  1/2  and  $d.  I  find  my 
lost  book,  Hist,  of  Charles  5th,  at  Mr.  Curwen's.  Fogarty 
put  to  bail  by  S.  Page  for  ^3000  ;  goes  to  jail. 

11.  Ttiesday.  Fine  sledding.  Fogarty  comes  out  of 
jail. 

12.  Wednesday.  Some  wet  and  snow.  Mr.  Goodale 
and  lady,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore,  here  at  tea  in  Mrs. 
Pynchon's  chamber.  Colo.  Gallison  here  about  Lee's 
estate  and  the  execution. 

13.  Thursday.  Very  cold  and  blustering;  plenty  of 
wood  and  provisions,  it  being  excellent  sledding. 

14.  Friday.  Fine  sledding  and  cold  yet.  Mr.  Wet- 
more's  father  comes  to  town. 

15.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  his  father 
[and]  Mr.  Noyes  here  at  tea  and  in  the  evening.  Dr. 
Holyoke's  papers  are  lost. 

16.  Sunday.  Windy  and  snow,  and  very  cold.  Mr. 
Wetmore,  the  father,  spends  the  evening  here.  I  write 
to  brother  Pynchon  at  Guilford  by  Mr.  Wetmore. 

18.  Tuesday.  Rains  and  thaws.  I  find  Dr.  Holyoke's 
lost  paper,  et  gaudia  quanta  fuere  !  Mrs.  Pynchon  comes 
below  to  dine. 

20.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cool,  and  sledding  revives. 
I  write  to  J.  Abbot  as  to  Sparhawk,  and  to  the  latter  as 
to  Abbot  and  Mr.  Phillips. 

22.  Saturday.  News  of  trouble  at  Mr.  Gould's  as  to 
boarders  ;  poor  Noyes  ! 

24.  Monday.  Church  meeting  for  sale  of  pews.  At 
Mr.  Curwen's  in  the  evening  ;  R.  Ward  there  with  the 
Clubb.  Mrs.  Nimmo  taken  ill  with  [a]  fit  of  fever  and 
ague  at  my  house.  She  settles  with  some  of  the  rioters ; 
others  stand  out  and  threaten  her. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  205 

25.  Tuesday.  Mrs.  Nimmo  goes  home  p.  m.  and  meets 
with  more  trouble. 

26.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Nimmo  is  carried  to  Beverly 
on  warrant  for  false  news. 

28.  Friday.  A  fine  morning,  cool  and  clear.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wetmore  here  at  evening. 

29.  Saturday.  Snow.  Capt.  Baker  calls  me  up  as  to 
Thomas  Porter's  affairs.     John  Felt  of  Danvers  dies. 

30.  Sunday.  Very  cold.  I  go  to  church  a.  m.,  but 
p.  m.  am  detained  by  Capt.  Bartlett  on  business  of  neces- 
sity. In  the  evening  Dr.  Lloyd  came  to  see  Mr.  Dowse, 
who  survived  only  long  enough  to  know,  without  ability 
to  speak  to  the  Dr.  John  spends  the  evening  with  [the] 
ladies  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

31.  Monday.  A  very  cold  day,  though  clear;  fine 
sledding.  Mr.  Paine  [and]  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne  dine 
here.  News  of  the  day  is  that  Gov'r  Hancock  hath 
proposed  to  the  Court  to  resign  the  Government ;  Mr. 
Dana  is  nominated  for  Puisne  Judge  of  [the]  Superior 
Court.  President  Willard  greatly  endangered  by  [a] 
mad  horse  in  the  ferry-boat,  which  struck  him  down  by 
his  forefoot.  Mr.  Dowse's  funeral  to  be  on  Thursday 
next. 

February  I.  Tuesday.  Very  cold,  and  some  snow 
this  morning.  Dr.  Paine  sets  off  for  Boston  and 
Worcester.  Much  snow  falls  this  night.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Orne  lodge  at  Mrs.  Pickman's,  not  being  able  to  come 
out  for  the  snow. 

2.  Wednesday.  The  snow  is  deep  and  drifted,  and  it 
continues  snowing.  John  spends  the  evening  at  T. 
Williams's,  and  part  of  it  at  Mrs.  Wetmore's  with  the 
ladies  ;  mirum  ! 

3.  Thursday.  It  snows  still.  The  storm  prevents 
the  funeral ;  it  to  be  next  Monday. 


206  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

4.  Friday.  No  wood  and  little  provisions,  by  reason 
of  the  depth  of  the  snow  and  its  being  much  drifted. 

5.  Saturday.     The  bearers  for  the  funeral  :  — 

Mr.  Williams,  J.  Ropes, 

Mr.  Pynchon,  Mr.  Mackey, 

G.  Dodge,  Mr.  Wait. 

6.  Sunday.  Excessive  cold  this  morning,  p.  m.,  I  go 
to  church.     Mr.  Curwen  spends  the  evening  with  me. 

7.  Monday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Dowse's  funeral  : 
some  of  his  brother's  family  come  from  Boston  ;  the 
corpse  is  carried  into  the  church  ;  a  number  of  singers 
from  the  other  meetings,  men  and  women,  with  a  bass 
viol  ;  a  good  discourse  on  mortality. 

8.  Tuesday.  Morn  clear  and  moderate.  I  receive 
Gen'l  Warren's  letter. 

9.  Wednesday.  Brother  Stephen  here.  John  goes  to 
the  Assembly. 

11.  Friday.  Clear  and  moderate.  John  Williams  is 
at  Boston.     T.  F.  Oliver  comes. 

12.  Saturday.  Wet ;  at  night  it  snows.  S.  Orne 
grows  worse.  Mr.  Oliver  and  Lynde  dine  with  me ;  the 
mutton  very  excellent.  J.  Grafton  grows  worse.  John 
Williams  is  to  attempt  taking  his  seat  in  the  House. 

13.  Sunday.  Snows  and  blows.  S.  Orne  very  low 
indeed.  Mr.  Oliver  here  in  the  evening,  and  Mr.  Good- 
ale. 

14.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold;  the  snow  much  drifted 
and  very  deep.     Club  at  Dr.  Holyoke's  in  the  evening. 

16.  Wednesday.  Moderate,  some  snow  A.  m.  Wrote 
to  Mrs.  R.  Browne  and  to  J.  Williams  by  Mr.  Oliver, 
who  sets  out  in  the  stage. 

19.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  morning,  and  plenty  of 
wood  comes  in.  I  send  to  Dr.  Wingate  Gen'l  Warren's 
costs,  ,£3.12.0,  by  Mr.  Payson.    Sic  ista  mat.  dormit.    At 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  207 

evening  John  Williams  comes  to  town   from    Boston, 
having  taken  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Repps. 

20.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cool.  J.  Williams  comes  A.  m. 
to  see  us  ;  dines  at  Mr.  Orne's.  Mr.  Green,  from  Bev- 
erly, visits  John. 

21.  Monday.  Moderate  and  cloudy  weather.  I  wait 
on  the  Assessors  with  a  general  account,  and  they  ask 
for  more  particulars  ;  query  the  event. 

22.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Bro.  Mitchell 
comes  ;  is  deeply  disordered. 

24.    Thursday.     S.  Orne  is  buried.     Bearers  :  — 
N.  Ropes,  J.  Gardner, 

J.  Pynchon,  Mr.  Hodges, 

J.  Sanders. 

26.  Saturday.  News  that  N.  Tracey's  estate  at  Cam- 
bridge and  at  Newburyport  is  attached.  Welch  at  Bos- 
ton fails. 

27.  Sunday.  At  church  p.  m.  J.  Grafton  better. 
Mrs.  Waldo  and  Mr.  Wetmore  go  to  Boston. 

28.  Monday.  News  of  Mr.  Tracey's  whole  estate  at- 
tached in  Essex  and  Middlesex.  Mitchell  goes  to  Mar- 
blehead  with  John.  The  affair  of  Boston  bridge  settled 
in  General  Court.     Mr.  Blaney  returns. 

March  2.  Wednesday.  I  go  with  Dr.  Holyoke  to  the 
Assembly,  and  spend  a  most  sociable  and  agreeable 
evening. 

4.  Friday.  Plenty  of  wood,  though  bad  sledding. 
Evening  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

5.  Saturday.  Snows  and  thaws  ;  wood  from  22/  to 
24/  per  cord.    Mr.  Curwen  [in]  the  evening  at  my  house. 

7.  Monday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curwen  and  Miss  Atkins, 
afternoon  and  evening. 

8.  Tuesday.  Evening,  Mrs.  Holyoke  and  Peggy  at 
tea  ;  at  evening,  Mr.   Blaney,  S.   Sewall,  Kimball,  and 


208  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [March, 

J.  Sanders  ;  Ste.  tarries  here.     Mr.  Wilds  comes,  having 
been  ill. 

9.  Wednesday.  Hail  and  rain.  Bro.  Stephen  goes  to 
Marblehead,  John  to  Ipswich  ;  Kimball  here.  Letters 
from  Virginia. 

10.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning  ;  good  sledding. 
John  proposes  a  voyage  to  Baltimore. 

11.  Friday.  Spend  the  afternoon  at  Mr.  Cabot's,  and 
[drink]  tea  ;  evening  at  Mrs.  Reb.  Cabot's.1 

12.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  At  Mr.  Dowse's 
apprizement  a.  m.,  with  Mess.  Derby  and  Goodhue. 

15.  Tuesday.  A  clear  morning.  At  town  meeting 
yesterday  ;  a  large  majority  of  votes  at  a  full  town  meet- 
ing were  for  demolishing  the  old  town  house  and  brick 
school  house,  and  for  erecting  a  spacious  town  house  by 
the  Tabernacle,  and  dividing  the  school,  placing  one  at 
each  end  of  the  town.  W.  Amory  comes  p.  m.  and 
lodges  with  John.  Mrs.  Orne  at  9  in  the  evening  goes 
with  Dr.  Paine,  Mrs.  Paine,  and  Mrs.  Pickman  to  see 
her  husband,  and  lodgeth  there  ;  returns  to  us  in  the 
morning. 

16.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  snows  and  blows.  Mrs. 
Orne  comes  home  ;  at  night  sends  word  by  Dr.  Paine 
to  Mrs.  Cabot  that  when  wanted  she  is  ready  to  go  tend 
Mr.  Orne. 

17.  TJiursday.  Exceeding  cold.  Mr.  Ward  here  from 
Lancaster. 

18.  Friday.  Eayres  here.  Mrs.  Orne  is  sent  for  by 
Mrs.  Cabot ;  goes  and  tarries  ;  her  letter  was  delivered 
by  Emanuel  this  morning. 

1  Rebecca  Orne,  who  married  Joseph  Cabot,  was  born  July  17,  174S,  and 
died  November  17,  1818.  Their  son,  Joseph,  married  Esther  Orne  Paine, 
who,  after  Mr.  Cabot's  death  in  November,  1799,  married  Ichabod  Tucker. 
One  of  the  grandchildren,  Joseph  Sebastian,  married,  first,  Martha  Stearns, 
and  secondly,  Susan  Burlcy  Howes,  who  now  resides  in  Boston. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  209 

19.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Dr.  Paine  and  Mrs. 
Paine  set  off  for  Boston  yesterday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell 
in  Salem. 

20.  Sunday.  At  home  all  day.  Mr.  Curwen  in  the 
evening. 

21.  Monday.  Stephen  and  Mitchell  here  at  [a]  meet- 
ing of  the  Social  Library.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  return 
to  Boston. 

22.  Tuesday.  Bro.  Mitchell  comes  from  Mr.  Goodale's 
and  lodgeth  with  us. 

23.  Wednesday.  Mitchell  sets  out  for  Portsmouth 
without  notice. 

24.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning ;  very  cool. 
About  10  o'clock  Jack  set  out  for  Virginia,  and  goes  on 
board  Schooner  .  .  .  ,  Capt.  Peirce ;  his  dog  was  grieved 
to  the  heart  that  he  could  not  go  with  his  master. 

25.  Friday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  W.  ;  raw,  cold.  Dr. 
Tupper  here  the  night. 

26.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cool ;  wind  N.  W.  At  Mrs. 
Higginson's  in  the  evening. 

27.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool  ;  wind  N.  E.  A  good 
wind  for  Jack  and  co.  Mr.  Goodale,  Noyes,  Mrs.  Good- 
ale,  and  Miss  Higginson,  and  Mrs.  Orne,  here  in  the 
evening,  all  wishing  Jack  a  safe  arrival  in  Baltimore. 

28.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  wind  at  S.  W.  F.  Grant 
absconds. 

29.  Tuesday.  Cheever  takes  poor  Sorrel  and  carries 
him  off  ;  the  kitchen  is  in  mourning  ;  Ah  !  Sorrel !  what 
will  thy  master  Jack  say?  Hast  thou  too  left  me? 
Alas  !  poor  Sorrel  ! 

April  1.     Friday.      Fair   weather.      At   one   o'clock 

came  through  the  street  2  officers  and  J.  T.,  Esqr.,  with 

a  rabble  round  them  ;  they  were  carrying  Mr.  T.  to  jail 

upon  execution  for  ^225  ;  he  was  in  his  slippers,  wad- 

14 


210  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

ing  through  mud  and  wet ;  they  stopped  at  the  tavern, 
and  the  people  were  enraged  at  the  officer  ;  the  gentle- 
men directly  undertook  to  be  answerable  for  Mr.  T.,  to 
deliver  the  body  or  the  money  or  sufficient  security  by 
Saturday  night ;  Mr.  S.,  of  Boston,  son-in-law  to  Mr.  T., 
was  sent  for  by  Mrs.  Gardner. 

2.  Saturday.  At  12  o'clock  Mr.  S.  comes,  and  p.  m. 
gives  his  security  with  J.  Norris  for  debt  and  costs,  and 
Mr.  T.  is  relieved. 

4.  Monday.  Snow  and  foul  weather.  Extraordinary 
things  done  to-day  are  the  agreement  made  with  Jos. 
Flint,  Jr.,  and  with  Jos.  Endicot. 

5.  Ttiesday.  Mr.  Pulling  and  I  set  out  with  Ben. 
Daland  for  Ipswich  Court  ;  in  many  places  the  snow 
was  higher  than  the  walls  by  the  way,  and  in  some 
places  no  sign  of  the  wall  appeared ;  we  went  in  Daland's 
slay,  2  horses,  and  in  about  6  hours  got  within  a  mile  of 
the  town,  and  hearing  of  the  adjournment  of  the  Court, 
we  returned,  and  arrived  at  Salem  about  1/2  after  6 
o'clock. 

6.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Tudor  here.  A  fine,  fair  morning. 
Mr.  Parsons,  Pulling,  etc.  here,  p.  m.,  and  in  the  evening. 

8.  Friday.  Cloudy,  rain  and  snow.  At  evening  Mr. 
Wetmore,  Mrs.  Orne,  Smith,  and  W.  Cabot  here  at 
whist.     Rains  in  the  evening. 

10.  Sunday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Sa.  Clough 
dreamt  that  Jack  comes  home  in  the  Astrsea  before  the 
mast ;  Sar.  Martin  says  she  shall  dream  about  him 
soon,  and  then  can  tell  for  sarting  whether  there  is  a 
jot  of  truth  in  Sar.  Clough's  dream. 

11.  Monday.  A  clear  day.  The  roads  in  Wenham 
and  Ipswich  impassable  on  horseback  ;  the  riders  dis- 
mount and  walk  by  their  horses. 

12.  Tuesday.    A  clear,  cool  morning.     Bad  news  from 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  211 

England  relating  to  our  trade  and  want  of  success  in  the 
Com[mercial]  Treaty  with  Britain. 

13.  Wednesday.  A  fair  and  cool  day.  I  have  [a] 
letter  from  R.  Lechmere,  Taunton,  England,  and  of  W. 
Cabot  [with]  the  balloon  news  from  Blanchard  and 
Jeffries'  tour  from  Dover  to  Calais. 

14.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  News  from  Britain  ;  let- 
ters from  Mr.  Bartlett  as  to  his  troubles. 

15.  Friday.     Troubles  yet  in  Boston. 

16.  Saturday.  A  fine  day,  cool  air  ;  snow  deep  in  the 
country  yet.  S.  H.  grows  very  unpopular  ;  every  pro- 
posal he  makes  is  opposed  by  the  populace,  and  they 
propose  sending  home  the  Salem  wizard. 

18.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Miss  Wetmore  taken  ill, 
and  't  is  feared  may  have  a  settled  fever. 

19.  Tuesday.  A  cool,  cloudy  morning  ;  rained  hard 
at  night.  At  Mr.  Carpenter's  in  the  evening  and  Mr. 
Blaney's. 

20.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Letters  from  J.  Sewall  and 
Frye  ;    Miss  Wetmore  grows  worse. 

24.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  both  parts  of 
the  day,  and  all  very  good. 

25.  Monday.  Manuel  Aston  went  away  to  get  him  a 
trade,  and  to  live  with  Symonds,  the  baker. 

26.  Tuesday.  Adjournment  of  Common  Pleas  ;  Court 
meets. 

27.  Wednesday.  Wrote  to  A.  Peabody,  Portsmouth, 
as  to  Sam.  Sawyer's  debt  to  me,  to  know  if  he  has  re- 
ceived payment  or  security. 

28.  TJiursday.  Common  Pleas  and  Sessions  Causes  ; 
higgledy-piggledy,  ding-dong. 

29.  Friday.  The  C.  Justice  having  determined  on 
Tuesday,  breaks  up  the  Court  at  Friday  noon  ;  about 
300  new  entries  ;  no  jury  trial. 


212  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

30.  Saturday.  Mr.  Orne  sent  down  his  chaise  with 
his  daughter  Caty,  with  his  desire  that  Mrs.  Orne  should 
return  home  in  the  chaise  to-day  or  to-morrow,  as  she 
should  incline.     I  returned  from  Ipswich  Court  at  one. 

May  4.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Curwen  and  I  walk  out  on 
the  Plains  at  evening. 

5.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  moderate  day.  At 
Mr.  Fisher's  ;  at  Mrs.  Dowse's  with  D.  Smith. 

6.  Friday.  A  very  fine,  warm  morning  ;  p.  m.,  the 
wind  out  at  east.  Mess.  Curwen  and  Pulling  set  out 
with  me  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Orne  at  Danvers  at  1/2  past 
two  ;  we  return  at  8,  having  had  a  pleasant  walk  ;  Mrs. 
Gray  and  Mrs.  Barnard  there  at  tea. 

9.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  returns  from 
Boston  with  Mr.  Waldo.  Mrs.  Safford,  sister  of  Mrs. 
Goodale,  is  buried  to-day. 

10.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Wetmore  sets  out  for  Falmouth 
with  Mr.  Waldo  ;  query,  the  roads. 

11.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  A  fine  time 
for  Ordination  at  Beverly.  Mr.  Curwen,  yesterday  from 
Boston,  gives  an  account  of  high  doings  there  in  can- 
vassing for  election  ;  the  wizard  is  to  be  put  up. 

'12.  Thursday.  We  hear  from  Beverly  that  large 
provisions  were  prepared,  and  very  few  partakers,  the 
boats  being  kept  as  ordered  on  the  east  side  of  the 
ferry  ;  the  latter  is  improbable.  At  Boston,  parties  run 
high  yet.     Mr.  Curwen  and  Dr.  Smith  call  to  see  me. 

13.  Friday.  A  fine  morning.  Mr.  Sparhawk  here. 
Mr.  Smith  sets  out  for  Petersham. 

14.  Saturday.  Rains  [a]  good  part  of  the  day,  and 
plentifully  at  night.  Capt.  Peirce  returned  in  safety 
with  son  John.  Peter  Oliver  and  co.  from  Baltimore. 
Stephen  Higginson  and  wife  from  Boston,  where  they 
must  have  had  a  belly  full  of  politicks. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  213 

15.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  John  at  church  ;  Mr.  Lee 
of  Cambridge  1  and  lady.     Rain  at  night. 

17.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning;  p.  m.,  at  the 
Fort  with  Mess.  Curwen  and  Cabot. 

21.  Saturday.     J.  Russell  visits  Mr.  Curwen. 

22.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  Spent  afternoon  and  evening 
at  Mr.  Curwen's  with  him  et  ux.,  in  good  spirits  ;  Mr. 
Curwen  concludes  on  going  to  England  in  Calahan. 

23.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  rain  all  day.  N.  Ropes 
and  Mr.  Hastings  from  Halifax  call  to  see  me  at  tea. 
Dr.  Prince,  lady,  and  son  and  daughter  come  in  from 
Halifax. 

24.  Tuesday.  Cloudy.  We  go  to  see  Mrs.  Prince  at 
J.  Derby's. 

25.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Oliver  comes  in  from  Provi- 
dence. 

26.  Thursday.  Mr.  Selkrig  here.  Dr.  Paine  and 
family  come  from  Boston. 

27.  Friday.  Mr.  Curwen  and  I  walk  over  to  Waters' 
at  evening. 

28.  Saturday.  Mr.  Orne  here.  I  go  with  Stevens 
and  Turell  to  Moriarty's,  Danvers,  as  to  the  executions. 
Mr.  Prince  returns  from  Maryland.  S.  Phillips,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Senate. 

29.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  The  church  well  filled. 
Yesterday  morning  Mrs.  Pynchon  set  out  for  Providence 
in  Mr.  Grafton's  chaise. 

30.  Monday.  A  fine  day  ;  warm  p.  m.  Mr.  Curwen 
preparing  for  [his]  voyage  to  England. 

31.  Tuesday.  A  clear,  fine  day.  In  the  afternoon  at 
Turner's  dancing  school  with  a  large  company. 

June  1.     Wednesday.    A  very  pleasant,  clear  day.    A 

1  Judge  Joseph  Lee,  H.  C.  1722,  was  a  loyalist,  but  moderate  in  his 
opinions.     He  was  a  brother  of  Thomas  Lee. 


214  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

large  company  ;  Mrs.  Prince  and  co.  dine  at  Mr.  Good- 
ale's,  and  continue  till  evening,  and  sup  there.  Dr. 
Paine  et  ux.  and  Mrs.  Prince  at  evening.  Mr.  Grafton 
returns  from  Providence  without  Mrs.  Pynchon. 

2.  Thursday.     At  Newburyport,  Tileston  shuts  up. 

3.  Friday.  A  pleasant  day.  Landlord  Goodhue  ab- 
sconds, and  all  his  estate  attached. 

4.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Dan'l  Cheever 
fails  and  is  attached.  Last  evening  Mr.  Oliver  returns 
from  Portsmouth,  and  to-day  sets  out  for  Newburyport. 

5.  Sunday.     At  church  in  the  afternoon  with  Mr.  C. 

6.  Monday.  [While]  at  tea  Mrs.  Cabot  was  taken 
speechless  suddenly  and  put  to  bed. 

8.  Wednesday.  I  went  in  Burrell's  stage  to  Boston  with 
Mr.  Oliver  and  Polly. 

9.  Thursday.  Meet  the  referees  at  Mr.  Tudor' s  office  ; 
again  p.  m. 

10.  Friday.  Again  A.  m.  Mrs.  Nutting  died  ;  p.  m. 
I  return  in  Newhall's  stage. 

12.  Sunday.  A  clear,  fine  day.  At  church  in  the 
afternoon  ;  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Oliver's. 

13.  Monday.  A  clear,  warm  day  ;  wind  at  S.  W. 
Mrs.  Cabot  continues  senseless.  Mrs.  Barrett  Cabot 
and  Miss  Bromfield  both  come.  Mrs.  Nutting's  funeral; 
a  very  long  procession.     Bearers  :  — 

Dr.  Putnam,  Pynchon, 

Dr.  Holyoke,  G.  Dodge, 

John  Sanders,  S.  Holman. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  The  Sup.  Court 
meets  on  adjournment  from  November  term. 

16.  Thursday.  Mr.  Parsons,  etc.,  pass  through  town 
from  Philadelphia.  At  night  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  came 
to  town.     Mr.  Amory  dines  with  us. 

17.  Friday.     Very  warm  a.  m.,  but  afternoon  cloudy  ; 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  21 5 

thunder  and  rain.     Mrs.  Cabot's  l  funeral  p.  M.     It  rains 
and  thunders  at  3  o'clock. 

18.   Saturday.     A  fine  day.     Mrs.   Pynchon  and  co. 
dine  with  Mrs.  Orne  at  Danvers  ;  also  John  Smith  and 


CO. 


19.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon  at  Mr. 
Barnard's  meeting;  he  preached  a  good  sermon  upon 
mortality  ;  Mrs.  Nutting  and  Mrs.  Cabot  both  dead. 

20.  Monday.  A  very  warm  day.  Mr.  Bromfield 
comes  for  his  sister  Betsy. 

21.  Tuesday.  I  go  with  Mr.  Wetmore  in  his  carriage 
to  Ipswich  Court. 

25.   Saturday.     The  Court  ended. 

27.  Monday.  Williams  and  co.  begin  again  upon 
Captain  Haraden  with  actions. 

28.  Tuesday.  The  last  day  of  suing  for  July  Court. 
B.  Pickman,  Jr.,  came  to  my  office  to  study  law  at  the 
usual  terms  for  studying  agreed  on,  being  ;£  100.00. 

29.  Wednesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  set  out  for 
Falmouth. 

30.  Thursday.  I  receive  a  friendly  letter  from  my 
townsman  and  old  friend,  Colo.  Worthington,  at  Boston, 
who  hath  borne,  and  continues  to  bear,  indignities  and 
insolence  from  pretended  patriots  and  hypocrites  with 
the  fortitude  of  a  brave  man,  detesting  and  despising 
the  duplicity  and  meanness  of  many  who,  by  cringing 
and  crawling,  have  wriggled  themselves  into  office  and 
power.  L.  Deblois,  Jr.,  of  Halifax,  son  of  Lewis  De- 
blois,  dined  here,  and  upon  (hearing)  of  the  sufferings 
of  Mrs.  Grant  and  family  most  generously  and  genteelly 
slip't  a  Jac[obus]  into  Mrs.  P.'s  hand  for  Mrs.  Grant. 

July  2.     Saturday.     Very  warm  and  dry.     Mr.  Lee 
continues  very  ill. 

1  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Francis  Cabot ;  she  was  68  years  of  age. 


2l6  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

3.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  in  the  afternoon  a  fine,  moder- 
ate rain.  Early  this  morning  Mrs.  Orne  and  Anne 
Grafton  come  from  the  Farm,  and  spend  the  day  and 
return  at  night.  W.  Amory  comes  from  Newburyport 
and  returns  at  night. 

4.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  At  Mr.  Goodale's  in 
the  evening  with  Mr.  Cutts,  B.  Pickman,  etc.  Mr. 
Dwight  with  Mr.  Dane  called  on  me  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

5.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  day.  F.  Clarke  calls  loudly 
again.     It  rains  finely  in  the  night. 

9.  Saturday.  A  large  company  go  to  Mr.  Orne's, 
some  on  foot  and  others  in  carriages  and  on  horses,  and 
spend  the  afternoon. 

10.  Sunday .  A  very  fine  day.  Letters  from  Mr. 
Oliver  respecting  his  taking  orders  ;  and  certificates  and 
recommendations  from  the  clergy  to  Bishop  Seabury 
for  the  purpose. 

12.  Tuesday.  A  pleasant,  warm  day.  The  Court 
come  into  town  about  12,  and  meet  in  Mr.  Barnard's 
meeting-house  at  one  o'clock. 

14.  Thursday.  Sessions  day,  and  hot.  The  meeting- 
house thronged  with  publicans,  sinners,  innholders,  re- 
tailers, and  justices  ;  no  room  for  lawyers. 

15.  Friday.  Pell-mell,  helter-skelter,  some  for  Sessions 
business,  others  for  Common  Pleas;  some  for  the  Grand 
Jury,  others  for  the  petit  Jury.  In  commanding  silence 
the  H.  Sheriff  overstrains,  which  brings  all  to  a  loud 
laugh,  and  so  to  good  humour. 

16.  Saturday.  A  very  fine  day.  Mr.  Deblois  sets 
out  for  Boston.  The  Court  adjourns  without  day  in 
tolerable  humour  by  noon.  Miss  Atkins  leaves  us ;  we 
part  with  her  reluctantly. 

18.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Dr.  Holyoke  raiseth 
a  new  story  to  his  house. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  2\J 

19.  Tuesday.  Fine  weather.  We  hear  of  Walker  ;  he 
is  going  apace  to  the  dogs. 

20.  Wednesday.  About  5  o'clock  Mess.  W.  Pickman, 
Barnard,  Davis,  L.  Oliver,  and  self  set  out  in  Burrell's 
coach  for  Commencement.  Arrive  there  at  9.  The  per- 
formances at  meeting  so  so  ;  an  English  oration  by 
Ware1  well  composed,  delivered  with  plainness.  Gov. 
Bowdoin  is  courteous  and  growing  very  popular.  We 
return  to  Salem  about  10  at  evening. 

22.  Friday.  A  warm  day.  Mr.  Hitchcock  and  wife 
here  from  Providence. 

23.  Saturday.  A  warm  day.  Mr.  Hitchcock  makes 
us  a  visit,  also  T.  Parsons  ;  he  reads  us  Gov.  Bowdoin's 
answer  to  the  address  ;  it  is  long  and  learned.  Yesterday, 
the  town  at  a  meeting,  by  a  very  full  vote,  concur  with 
the  Sessions  as  to  building  a  court-house,  and  to  pull 
down  the  brick  school-house  and  the  old  town-house ; 
fears  that  the  Courts  may  be  removed  to  Ipswich  effected 
what,  it  seems,  nothing  else  could  ;  but  to  spoil  all,  they 
propose  to  sell  the  land  where  the  old  town-house  stood. 
At  night  Mr.  Parker,2  a  collegian,  here. 

24.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning ;  wind  N.  W. 
Mess.  S.  Higginson  and  Dickinson,  agent  of  Lanes  and 
Co.,  go  to  Beverly  on  affairs  of  accounts,  and  call  here 
at  Mr.  Cabot's.  S.  Page  died  p.  m.,  about  5  o'clock. 
Mr.  Greenwood  et  tix.  part ;  she  goes  to  Wenham. 

25.  Monday.  A  very  fine  day  ;  wind  N.  W.  Brother 
Stephen  Sewall  et  tix.  and  son  call  on  us  in  the  morning; 
he  in  ill  health.  The  workmen  are  preparing  to  pull 
down  the  school-house  and  the  old  town-house ;  the 
library  is  removed  to  Capt.  J.  Derby's  house. 

1  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Ware,  afterwards  Hollis  professor  at  Cambridge.  He 
died  in  1845  • 

2  Isaac  Parker,  H.  C.  1786,  afterward  Chief  Justice  of  the  Superior 
Court,  and  representative  to  Congress.     He  died  in  1830. 


218  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

27.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Curwen  moves  into  Mrs.  Hays', 
western  end  of  Clark's  house. 

28.  Thursday.  Mess.  Parker,  Bass,1  and  Fisher  call 
and  drink  punch  with  me.     Plentiful  rain  in  the  night. 

29.  Friday  Rain  in  the  morning  and  parts  of  the 
day.     Young  Mr.  Gannet  calls  here  p.  M. 

30.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Debo.  Cabot  and 
Mrs.  George  Cabot  here,  and  return  at  evening.  Young 
Mr.  Cabot  is  taken  with  a  severe  fit  of  nervous  headache. 
This  morning  I  send  to  Boston  a  letter  for  Mr.  Curwen 
in  London. 

31.  Sunday.  Fair  and  cool  in  the  morning.  Mrs. 
Pynchon  at  home  all  day,  but  her  mari  at  church  all 
day  !  ! ! 

August  1.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm,  and  clear  day. 
Church  meeting  for  sale  of  pews  adjourned  to  the  15th 
day. 

2.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day,  warm  ;  cloudy  p.  M. 
Mr.  Barnard  and  I  go  to  Woburn  in  his  carriage  on  his 
business  as  to  Execution  v.  Edwards,  Tidd  et  al.,  and 
get  to  Richardson's  in  the  evening. 

3.  Wednesday.  We  return  to  Salem  by  2.  The  wea- 
ther warm.  Town-meeting  p.  m.  ;  vote  to  sell  the  land 
on  which  the  old  town-house  stood;  43  against  29. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  and  4  children  at  Mr.  Cabot's. 
Mr.  Reed,  from  Cambridge,  with  Mr.  Noyes,  here. 

4.  Thursday.  Clear  and  very  pleasant.  Mess.  Lowell 
and  company  set  out  for  Portsmouth  in  the  morning. 
Mr.  Blaney  here  last  evening.  Mrs.  Williams,  wife  of 
John  Williams,  died. 

5.  Friday.  A  pleasant  day.  Mr.  Blaney  here  in  the 
evening.  Mrs.  Pynchon  at  Mrs.  Lynde's  and  Mrs.  Hol- 
yoke's. 

1  Edward  Bass  was  the  first,  and  Samuel  Parker  the  second,  bishop  of 
Massachusetts. 


1 735.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  219 

6.  Saturday.  A  fine  rain.  I  take  tea  first  at  Mr. 
Cabot's,  then  at  Mrs.  Pickman's  with  the  girls,  and 
brother  Blaney  not  there  ! ! !  Clerk  Osgood  is  very  good 
in  Dane  and  Blanchard.  I  write  further  to  Mr.  Robie, 
Mr.  Walter,  and  Mr.  Deblois,  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  to  Mrs. 
Cotnam. 

7.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  day  ;  wind  S.  W.  Wyatt 
ready  to  sail  for  Halifax  with  Mrs.  Prince  and  family 
and  Miss  P.  Walter.  Mr.  L.  Oliver  sets  out  for  Boston 
this  morning  in  his  way  to  Providence,  his  brother  being 
taken  ill.  W.  Amory  here  and  returns  p.  m.  to  New- 
bury. 

8.  Monday.  A  cool  and  clear  day.  Wyatt  sails  with 
Mr.  Prince.  Mr.  Cabot  burns  his  will  with  some  appear- 
ance of  malediction.    Vans  scrambles  with  Mr.  Wetmore. 

9.  Tuesday.  We  have  letter  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins 
of  Providence  from  daughter  Sally.  Vans  scrambles 
and  scolds  at  Wetmore. 

10.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  morning.  Mr.  Jenkins 
sets  out  early  for  Newbury.  A  company  go  to  Lynn  ; 
Phillips  to  spend  the  day  ;  Smith,  Pickman,  and  Jack  to 
Burdock's. 

11.  Thursday.  Convention  of  Church  Clergy  pro- 
posed, to  promote  uniformity  of  publick  worship  and 
make  needful  alterations  in  the  Church  Service,  espe- 
cially to  shorten  the  morning  service.  Mr.  Lowell  and 
family. 

12.  Friday.  Moderate  and  cool.  Mr.  Lowell  and 
company  go  for  Boston,     p.  m.,  cloudy  and  rain. 

16.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning ;  wind  S.  W. 
Mr.  Waldo  comes  from  Falmouth.  Billy  Wetmore  goes 
to  Ipswich  school. 

17.  Wednesday.  Smith,  Pickman,  Jack,  and  co.  go 
for  Flax  Pond  to  spend  the  day ;  Jack  does  right  as  to 
partner  ! ! 


220  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [August, 

1 8.  Thursday.  D.  Smith  comes;  sells  Mr.  Dowse's 
house  at  auction.     Mr.  Watson  and  co.  here. 

19.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  wind  N.  W.,  and  cool.  Jack 
went  to  Danvers  on  a  fishing  and  fowling  match  on 
Wednesday  evening,  and  is  not  yet  returned. 

20.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Mr.  Cabot  ill 
yet,  is  daily  in  pain  ;  his  friends  grow  fearful  of  his  dis- 
order. S.  Higginson  et  ux.  come  to  town.  L.  Oliver 
returns  from  Providence  with  a  letter  from  his  brother. 
All  there  as  well  as  usual.  He  brings  no  news  of  J. 
Grafton  and  Patty  ;  they,  to  be  sure,  had  some  business 
in  the  other  road  to  Newport.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore 
return  from  Mr.  Cutler's  ;  leave  little  Billy  very  well 
and  contented  at  school  there. 

21.  Sunday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  morning.  S. 
Higginson  at  Mr.  Cabot's  in  the  evening. 

22.  Monday.  A  fine  morning  ;  wind  south.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jenkins  from  Newbury  call  and  lodge  with  us. 
The  land  on  which  the  old  town-house  stood  is  sold. 

23.  Tuesday.  Our  guests  depart  for  Providence. 
A  cloudy  day,  but  the  wished  for  rain  cometh  not. 
J.  Grafton  returns  from  sea,  better. 

24.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning;  all  signs  of 
rain  fail.  The  new  town-house  rises  apace  with  the 
growling  of  the  people  about  taxes.  Fogarty  and  Wat- 
kins  keep  close. 

25.  Thursday.  Cloudy  p.  m.,  and  rain  in  the  evening. 
A  turtle  frolick  at  Leach's.  Vans  grows  impudent  and 
intolerable. 

26.  Friday.  Fine  and  cool  morning.  Jos.  Grafton 
and  Patty  Pynchon  return  from  Providence. 

27.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  morning.  The 
streets  full  of  provisions,  but  I  have  not  a  copper  to  lay 
out.     My  neighbours   in   like   circumstances   and   can't 


17S5.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  221 

lend  me  any.  Can  there  be  a  plainer  case  ?  We  must 
surely  be  content  to  go  without  any.  What  a  fine  thing 
it  is  to  have  company  in  streights  !  Whether  it  be  so  in 
times  of  wealth  and  plenty  we  know  it. 

28.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  Dr.  Putnam  at  church  A.  m. 
P.  Oliver  p.  m.  Some  rain  at  night.  I  find  my  cane  at 
Southick's. 

29.  Monday.  Billy  Wetmore  went  to  Mr.  Cutler's  at 
Ipswich.     The  Club  at  Colo.  Pickman's  in  the  evening. 

30.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  little  rain  ;  in  the  evening 
a  plentiful  rain.  Mr.  Cabot  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  ride  out, 
also  Mr.  West  and  Sophia  Cabot. 

September  I.  Thursday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  and 
the  child  set  out  for  Boston. 

2.  Friday.  John  goes  to  Mr.  Orne's  with  F.  Goodale 
in  his  father's  carriage,  in  order  for  his  tour  with  Mrs. 
Orne  to  Providence.  Some  rain  in  the  night.  Sophia 
Cabot  leaves  Salem. 

3.  Saturday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E.,  with  some  rain. 
As  we  hear  nothing  from  Danvers  we  presume  that  John 
and  Mrs.  O.  set  out  for  Providence.  Gen'l  Farley  here 
about  Estey's  affair  in  the  week  past.  Watkins,  Frost, 
Maj.  Eppes,  Ben.  Eppes  ;  inhabitants  of  Marblehead  in 
a  rage  at  Mr.  Robie's  suit. 

4.  Sunday.  Cloudy ;  wind  N.  E.  Mr.  Fisher's  child 
is  this  day  christened  by  himself  (Elizabeth).  Sponsors  : 
Mr.  Bowditch,  Mrs.  Ingersoll,  Miss  M.  Hathorn.  His 
subject  was  the  vanity  of  the  world,  showing  that  all 
was  not  vanity.  News  of  Dr.  Orne  from  sea,  and  he  is 
no  better.     Alas,  poor  Orne  ! 

5.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  We  hear  that  Mr.  Wetmore 
has  agreed  for  a  house  at  Boston.  Mr.  Blaney's  misfor- 
tunes commence.     Club  at  my  house. 

8.  Thursday.  Mr.  Orne  came  ;  dined  here  with  Mrs. 
Mascarene  and  Mrs.  Higginson. 


222  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

9.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  moderate  day.  N. 
Sparhawk  here.  Early  this  morning  Mr.  Smith  sets  out 
for  Windham,  and  Mr.  Pickman  for  Oxford  on  Mr. 
Blaney's  affairs. 

12.  Monday.  The  Club  meets  at  Dr.  Putnam's  house 
in  School  Street  for  the  first  time. 

15.  Thursday.  Mr.  Winthrop,  Misses  Temple  and 
Waldo  come  to  town. 

16.  Friday.  Miss  Fiske 2  was  buried  with  great  pomp  ; 
a  great  concourse  of  respectable  people. 

17.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  Mr.  Winthrop 
and  co.  set  off  p.  m.  for  Boston.  Billy  Wetmore  comes 
from  Mr.  Cutler's  on  a  visit.  Last  evening  Mrs.  Goodale 
began  to  raise  blood  ;  all  are  alarmed  at  it,  she  especially. 
John  rides  out  to  Danvers  with  Mr.  Graam  ;  he  returns 
and  lodges  with  John. 

18.  Sunday.  Rain  and  fogs  and  wet  in  plenty. 
Church  full  to-day ;  no  meeting  at  Mr.  Prince's  house 
to-day.  Mr.  Graam  [and]  Billy  Wetmore  visit  us. 
Evening,  John  goes  up  to  Mr.  Orne's,  sups  at  Mr. 
Graam's.  Primus  brings  down  the  horse  and  chaise 
for  John's  tour  to  Providence.  He  and  Eb.  Putnam  are 
to  set  out  to-morrow. 

19.  Monday.  Nathan  Browne's  affair  hurries  him  to 
extremes  —  to  the  law  ;  I  throw  water  to  cool  him. 

20.  Tuesday.  Browne's  heat  increaseth  ;  Lander's 
subsides. 

21.  Wednesday.  Rain.  Mrs.  H.  Lloyd  at  Mrs.  Hig- 
ginson's.     By  him  I  write  to  Dr.  Lloyd. 

22.  Thtwsday.  Marblehead  town-meeting  in  an  up- 
roar as  to  S.  S. 

23.  Friday.     Eb.  Putnam  returns  from  Providence  in 

1  Lydia,  daughter  of  General  John  and  Lydia  (Phippen)  Fiske.  She 
was  17  years  of  age. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  223 

the  evening.     Very  cold.     This  day  Mr.  Turner's  furni- 
ture is  sold  at  auction. 

24.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  At  evening  John  and  Mrs. 
Orne  come  in  from  Providence  with  a  letter  from  Brother 
Pynchon  and  one  from  Mrs.  Oliver.  Brother  Pynchon 
sends  a  new  account  with  the  heirs.  Browne  and  Lan- 
der and  Watson  meet  at  my  office. 

25.  Sunday.  Church  and  meetings  begin  1/4  past 
.  .  .  a.  m.  and  .  .  .  past  2  p.  m.  Mr.  Fisher,  after  church 
service,  p.  m.,  explains  to  us  the  doings  of  the  church 
clergy  at  Boston  Convention. 

27.  Tuesday.  Set  out  for  Newbury  Court  with  Mr. 
Wetmore  in  his  carriage  ;  get  there  at  two  with  a  tired 
horse.  Mr.  Hitchborn  generously  offers  me  his  servant's 
horse,  on  which  I  finish  my  journey  into  Newburyport  ; 
dine  at  Davenport's. 

29.  Thursday.  Dine  at  Parsons'.  News  of  Dr. 
Story's  failing  at  Boston. 

30.  Friday.     Dine  at  Mr.  Dalton's. 

October  1.  Saturday.  Dine  at  brother  Bradbury's. 
Set  out  after  noon  and  reach  Adams'  at  the  Hamlet. 

2.  Sunday.     Reach  Salem  by  9  a.  m. 

3.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  John  to  Reading ; 
Just.  Browne's  Court. 

11.  Tuesday.  I  set  out  for  Newbury  with  Mr.  Wet- 
more  in  his  chaise,  Stevens'  horse. 

13.  Thursday.  The  Court  at  evening  adjourns  with- 
out day. 

14.  Fiiday.  Morn,  I  return  from  Newbury  Court. 
Miss  S.  Lowell  and  Miss  Atkins  come. 

15.  Saturday.  News  of  J.  Timmins'  death  from  Lon- 
don. 

16.  Sunday.     All  day  at  church. 

17.  Monday.     M.  Sparhawk  and  son  come  here. 


224  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

1 8.  Tuesday,  p.  m.,  Mr.  Sparhawk  and  son  go  to 
Boston. 

19.  Wednesday.     The  Assembly  matters  come  on. 
21.  Friday.     Mr.  Abbot  of  Andover  here  to  pay  Mr. 

Sparhawk.  Mr.  Cabot  agrees  to  go  with  me  to  Spring- 
field, and  to  carry  a  servant  ;  he  hath  letters  from  Mr. 
Savage,  London,  and  account  that  Mr.  Curwen,  failing 
of  his  pension,  is  expected  to  return  hither  this  fall. 
The  Pension  List  is  said  to  decrease.  Wind  N.  E.,  and 
cold,  and  rains  all  day. 

24.  Monday.  Cloudy  a.  m.  At  9  o'clock  Mr.  Cabot 
and  I,  with  servant  Joe,  set  out  at  Salem  for  Springfield  ; 
dine  at  Watertown,  lodge  at  Sudbury,  at  Butler's  ;  very 
poor  lodgings. 

25.  Tuesday.  We  breakfast  at  How's,  Marlboro,  dine 
at  Worcester  ;  I  visit  Mrs.  Flagg ;  we  lodge  at  Leicester. 

26.  Wednesday.  Breakfast  at  Brookfield.  A  very  cold 
day.     Dine  at  Graves'  and  lodge  there,  Palmer. 

27.  Thursday.  Breakfast  at  Bliss's,  Wilbraham  ;  dine 
at  Parsons's,  Springfield,  and  lodge  there.  Visit  Mr.  M. 
Bliss,  Mrs.  J.  Dwight ;  tea  at  G.  Pynchon's,  with  Mrs. 
Piatt's  and  Colo.  Worthington's  family. 

28.  Friday.  Take  Mr.  Pynchon's  horse  and  go  over 
the  river  with  Mr.  Cabot  and  Bliss,  and  meet  Ben.  Ely 
at  Stebbin's,  where  Mr.  C.  finds  a  young  female  atten- 
dant, and  not  engaged  ;  all  dine  at  my  expense  ;  return 
to  east  side  of  the  river,  lodge  at  Parsons's  ;  in  the  even- 
ing visit  Mr.  Hayward  at  J.  Dwight's,  and  spend  the 
remainder  of  the  evening  at  Mr.  Bliss's  with  his  family 
and  Colo.  Worthington.  a.  m.,  in  waiting  for  the  boat, 
I  call  at  Dr.  Brewer's  and  make  a  visit  there  ;  also  call 
at  widow  Charles  Pynchon's  to  see  them,  and  at  W. 
Pynchon's,  the  Registrar.1 

1  William  Pynchon  was  the  son  of  John,  and  a  cousin  of  our  author. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  225 

29.  Saturday.  We  set  out  at  9  o'clock  after  break- 
fast, dine  at  Scott's,  lodge  at  Brookfield,  Lincoln's. 

30.  Sunday.  Breakfast  at  Mason's,  Spencer  ;  go  to 
meeting,  hear  Mr.  Pope,  and  set  out  at  the  meeting- 
house and  dine  at  Leicester;  lodge  at  Patch's,  Worces- 
ter. 

31.  Monday.  Breakfast  at  Farrar's,  Shrewsbury  ;  dine 
at  Colo.  How's,  Marlboro  —  good  roast  beef,  fine  horse- 
radish, catchup,  fine  butter,  apple  pye,  and  cheese  ;  a 
pretty  female  attendant,  her  face  muffled  up  for  the 
ague  ;  Mr.  C.  prescribes  flannel  for  it,  I  red  baize,  but 
we  can't  get  off  the  muffler.  Sup  and  lodge  at  Sudbury, 
at  Barker's  ;  a  fine  female  attendant  without  a  muffler, 
and  so  young  it  is  presumed  by  Mr.  C.  that  she  is  not 
engaged,  but  he  is  to  pop  the  question  to  her  at  night. 

November  1.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning.  We  break 
fast  at  Bradshaw's,  Medford ;  dine  at  Wait's,  Maiden  ; 
drink  coffee  p.  m.  at  Salem,  and  find  all  well.  The  Court 
meets  and  sits  in  Mr.  Barnard's  meeting-house. 

2.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Hopkins  prays  with  the  Court ; 
cause  tried. 

5.  Saturday.  Mr.  Hues,  Lincoln,  Bradbury,  dine 
here.  At  night,  self  et  ux.  wait  on  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sumner 
at  their  lodgings,  at  Goodhue's. 

6.  Sunday.  Judges  Cushing,  Dana,  and  Sumner,  with 
Mrs.  Sumner,  dine  with  us,  Judge  Sargeant  and  lady 
being  out  of  town,  and  they  go  p.  m.  to  Mr.  Prince's 
meeting. 

7.  8,  9,  10,  11.     Trials. 

12.  Saturday.  Mr.  Bradbury,  Parsons,  and  Mr.  Wat- 
son eat  fish  with  me  ;  Lincoln  declined.  Hibbett's  case 
tried. 

13.  Sunday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sumner,  Paine,  and  Par- 
sons at  church  p.  m.,  and  drink  tea  at  Mr.  Goodale's  ; 
Mr.  Wetmore  goes  home. 

15 


226  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

14.  Monday.  A  cold,  clear  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sum- 
ner, Bradbury,  and  clerk  Osgood  at  tea  at  my  house. 

15.  Tuesday.     The  Court  breaks  up  p.  m. 

22.  Tuesday.  Rain.  Mr.  Orne  and  Mr.  Selkrig  come 
at  evening  ;  the  latter  lodgeth  here. 

23.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  windy.  Selkrig  goes  to 
Boston  in  the  stage.  Letters  come  from  Colo.  Frye  and 
Mr.  Deblois  of  Halifax. 

24.  Thursday.  I  went  to  Cambridge  with  Mr.  Mas- 
carene,  and  to  Boston,  and  lodged  at  Mr.  Wetmore's. 

25.  Friday.  I  returned  home  —  it  rained;  I  brought 
Billy  Wetmore  with  me. 

26.  Saturday.  A  fair  day  and  cold.  Letters  from 
Mr.  Curwen  and  J.  Sewall,  by  Calahan. 

December  4.  Sunday,  Snow-storm.  Mr.  Orne  and 
Williams  here  in  the  evening. 

5.  Monday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Mr.  Williams  sets 
out  for  Deerfield  with  letter  for  Walker,  writ,  summons, 
and  an  order  on  Carpenter  and  Clarke. 

6.  Tuesday.  The  Court  meet  at  Robinson's.  At 
evening  Mr.  Wetmore  comes  in  the  stage  and  puts  up 
with  us. 

9.  Friday.  Very  cold.  The  Court  still  at  Robinson's. 
At  evening  the  Court  adjourns  without  day  in  tolerable 
humour. 

10.  Saturday.  Wet  and  cloudy.  Mrs.  Johnson,  sister 
of  Aq.  Wilkins,  here.  Confusions  at  Mr.  Cabot's  be- 
tween him  and  son. 

11.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  small  rain.  Having  a 
swelled  face  and  bad  cold,  I  tarry  at  home  ;  all  ill  of 
Sunday  disorder  —  laziness.  At  evening  Mr.  Watson 
of  Providence,  and  Mr.  Goodale  here. 

13.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  wet.  Mr.  Elkanah  Watson 
breakfasts  with  me.  Mr.  Graham,  L.  Oliver,  Osgood, 
and  B.  P.  at  tea.     Mrs.  Pynchon  visits  Mrs.  H.  Derby. 


1785.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  227 

14.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold  morning.  0.  Pea- 
body  called  on  me  yesterday,  and  comes  again  on  Mr. 
Cabot's  and  Mrs.  Orne's  affairs.  Mrs.  Orne,  Peggy, 
and  Caty  come  to  Thanksgiving  and  lodge  with  us. 
John  is  ill  of  the  asthma  and  pleurisy.  Mr.  Sparhawk 
here. 

15.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Orne  comes, 
and  his  family,  to  dine  at  Mrs.  Cabot's  ;  mine  (except 
Jack,  who  is  ill)  to  dine  at  F.  Cabot's.  John's  pleurisy 
continues. 

16.  Friday.  A  fine  day;  it  rains  in  the  evening; 
a  wonder  !  F.  Cabot,  Esq.,  and  son,  and  Mrs.  Masca- 
rene  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's.  Mr.  Prescott x  sits  up  with 
John. 

18.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  but  John  is  confined 
in  his  chamber  and  I  in  the  office  all  day. 

20.  Tuesday.  Moriarty  returns  to  Danvers.  Mr. 
Graham  dines  with  us  in  the  office. 

21.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  morning.  Brother  Mitchell 
comes  in  the  Portsmouth  stage  ;  a  dark  cloud  over  his 
visage,  his  eyes  wild  ;2  at  evening  he  goes  to  Mr.  Good- 
ale's  to  lodge,  John  and  I  both  being  ill. 

1  Mr.  Prescott  was  a  classmate  of  John  Pynchon. 

2  Mitchell  Sewall,  so  often  mentioned  in  this  Diary,  was  a  son  of  Mitchell 
Sewall.  He  was  born  in  1 748,  and  was  adopted  by  his  uncle,  Judge  Stephen 
Sewall,  and  became  a  student  of  law.  In  1774  he  was  made  Register  of 
Probate  in  Grafton  County,  New  Hampshire.  He  afterward  removed 
to  Portsmouth,  where  he  died  in  March,  180S,  at  the  age  of  59.  He  was 
a  man  of  gloomy  temperament,  but  of  marked  poetical  ability,  and  a  vol- 
ume of  his  poems  was  published  in  1801.  His  ode  on  war  and  Washing- 
ton was  quite  celebrated,  and  was  sung  during  the  war.  He  was  noted  for 
his  wit  and  social  qualities.  In  his  epilogue  to  the  tragedy  of  Cato,  written 
in  1778,  occurs  the  well-known  couplet :  — 

"  No  pent-up  Utica  contracts  our  powers, 
But  the  whole  boundless  continent  is  ours." 

In  1788  he  delivered  the  Fourth  of  July  oration  in  Portsmouth,  which  was 
published. 


228  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

22.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  Mrs.  Vans  here  in  the 
evening. 

23.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  N.  Sparhawk, 
Esq.,  here  on  road  to  Portsmouth.  John  Pynchon  comes 
down. 

24.  Saturday.     It  rains  all  day.     Flora  Gilchrist  here. 

25.  Sunday ,  and  Christmas  Day.  Fine,  clear,  and 
moderate. 

27.  Tuesday.  Rains,  snows,  and  blows.  A  number 
of  unruly  fishermen  are  put  into  jail  for  taxes,  and  they 
utterly  refuse  to  pay  them  or  to  let  them  be  paid. 

31.  Saturday.  I  went  out  to  Mr.  Osgood's  office  and 
called  in  at  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  Mitchell  was  gone  forth  to 
musick.  I  give  to  Daniel  Oliver  letters  to  be  put  into 
Lloyd's  bag  at  Boston  for  London,  to  S.  Curwen. 

1786.  Jaiiuary  I.  Sunday.  Cold.  At  evening  I 
went  to  Mr.  Oliver's  and  spent  the  evening. 

2.  Monday.  Snow-storm  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Club  at  my 
house. 

3.  Tuesday.  Mr.  James  Warren  comes  with  letters 
from  Mrs.  Browne,  of  Virginia ;  dines  and  sups  with  us  ; 
Mr.  Goodale  [and]  J.  Grafton  here  with  him  at  tea. 

4.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Mrs.  Fisher  in  a 
fit  falls  into  the  fire. 

5.  Thursday.  Snow.  Mr.  Warren  goes  to  Marble- 
head  in  the  snow-storm. 

6.  Friday  morning.  Mr.  Warren  returns,  dines,  and 
spends  the  whole  day  ;  in  the  evening  goes  for  his  horse, 
etc.,  for  his  journey.     I  write  again  to  Mr.  Curwen. 

9.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Good  sledding.  Oak 
wood  at  15/  and  16/  a  cord.  Club  at  Dr.  Putnam's. 
p.  m.,  John,  B.  Pickman,  and  co.  go  with  the  Misses  to 
Mrs.  Orne's. 

12.  Thursday.  I  went  to  Boston  with  Mr.  Warren  in 
Burrell's  stage  ;  very  cold  air. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  229 

13.  Friday.  Mitchell  Sewall  set  out  with  his  servant 
for  Portsmouth. 

14.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  I  dine  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's,  and  at  half  after  two  o'clock  p.  m.  set  off  for 
the  ferry,  and  arrive  at  Salem  in  less  than  4  hours. 

18.  Wednesday.  Letters  by  Mr.  Ward  from  Mrs. 
Browne,  Virginia. 

19.  Thursday.  The  ferries  at  Charlestown  and  Chel- 
sea frozen  and  impassable. 

20.  Friday.     Stage  don't  go  ;  the  ferries  impassable. 

2 1 .  Saturday.  The  stage  goes.  The  weather  moder- 
ated ;  fine  rain. 

23.  Monday.  Thaws  still ;  in  the  afternoon  the  ice  is 
all  carried  off  from  the  ferry  by  the  tide.  Portsmouth 
stage  comes  from  Charlestown  to-day  by  2  o'clock, 
though  the  horses  slump  to  the  bottom  of  the  snow. 

24.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Prescott,  of  Beverly,  here,  and 
lodges  with  John.    Andrew  Cabot  here  about  Knowlton. 

26.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  morning,  p.  m.,  at 
Madam  Lynde's  lecture.  Mr.  Osgood  here  at  tea,  and 
Mrs.  Curwen  and  company. 

27.  Friday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Mr.  Townsend, 
of  Newbury,  comes  at  tea  and  lodgeth  with  John,  and 
they,  with  Pickman,  go  over  to  Beverly  to  see  Prescott, 
and  tarry  there  on  Saturday  night.  Dr.  Orne  dies. 
We  spend  the  evening  at  Dr.  H[olyoke's]  with  Mrs. 
Mascarene. 

28.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  The  match  goes  on  by 
fits  and  starts.  "  Now  I  will  marry,  and  then  I  will  not, 
but  will  keep  my  estate  for  my  children."  Mr.  Towns- 
end  and  John  remain  at  Beverly.  Ab.  Gerrish  tells  of 
suspicions  as  to  Goodale's  leaving  the  Sacrament  on 
account  of  the  tittle-tattle  of  the  town  as  to  feminine 
matters. 


230  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [February, 

29.  Sunday.  A  very  fine  morning.  Mr.  Fisher  calls 
here.  At  half  after  ten  John  returns  from  Beverly  in 
great  haste,  and  goes  to  church  to  play  a  voluntary. 
Mr.  G.  not  at  the  Sacrament  at  meeting  to-day. 

30.  Monday.  Rains  and  thaws  ;  S.  W.  wind.  Club 
at  Mr.  Pickman's.  Mr.  Cabot  in  tears  ;  Mrs.  M.  Coy 
and  matters  go  on  heavily. 

31.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  still  at  S.  W.  The  sled- 
ding very  poor.  Dr.  Jos.  Orne1  was  buried  p.  m.  The 
bearers  :  — 

Dr.  Osgood,  B.  Goodhue,  J.  Ashton. 

February  1.  Wednesday.  A  pleasant  day.  Mrs. 
Pynchon  goes  out  to  Mrs.  Goodale's,  John  to  the  As- 
sembly.    Mrs.  Henderson  is  abused  by  lads  in  the  street. 

2.  Thursday.  Cloudy  day.  Mr.  Goodale  and  I  ac- 
company Mr.  Cabot  up  to  Morris's  farm,  which  he  liketh  ; 
the  tide  catcheth  us  at  the  bridge  and  we  sail  over  North 
River. 

3.  Friday.  Mr.  Cabot  proposeth  that  his  son  W.,  in 
order  to  get  the  farm  a  pennyworth,  take  the  widow 
with  it. 

4.  Saturday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning  ;  a  moderate 
S.  W.  wind.  Mr.  Cabot  walketh  toward  the  house  of 
the  widow  Good,  the  owner  of  the  farm,  and  to  offer  to 
take  both  at  a  certain  sum  by  the  acre,  as  farmers  pur- 
chase in  the  country  all  farms  by  the  acre,  allowing 
nothing  for  buildings  and  barn  ;  and  in  this  case  Mr. 
Cabot  is  to  ask  for  the  widow  to  be  thrown  into  the  bar- 
gain, as  a  barn  would  be. 

5.  Sunday.     Snow  and   N.   E.  wind.     All  hands  are 

1  Dr.  Joseph  Orne  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  Orne,  whose  first  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Putnam.  He  was  born  in  1749.  He  married,  first,  Polly, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Dudley  Leavitt,  and  secondly,  Teresa  Emery,  of  Exeter, 
leaving  issue.  He  was  a  second  cousin  of  Timothy  Orne,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Pynchon. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  231 

going  to  church  to-day  to  hear  John's  voluntary  on  the 
organ  ;  I  go  too  late  and  hear  nothing ;  he  refused  to 
play,  as  Young  did  not  call  him. 

6.  Mo7iday.  Clouds  and  some  snow,  and  rain  at  times. 
Billy  Wetmore  comes  with  Bob,  in  his  way  to  Cutler's 
school.     Club  here. 

7.  Tuesday.  Cloudy.  Billy  Wetmore  and  Bob  set 
out  for  Cutler's  school.  I  call  on  Stephens  again  for 
his  account  (present,  B.  Pickman) ;  he  says  I  shall  have 
it.     John  goes  to  Boston  with 'Bob. 

8.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  pleasant  day.  I 
dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Dr.  Putnam,  Holyoke,  J. 
Derby,  B.  and  W.  Pickman,  J.  Grafton,  Mr.  Noyes  ;  all 
very  cheerful. 

9.  Thursday.  A  fine,  moderate,  clear  day.  Justice 
Holten,  at  the  solicitation  of  B.  Stevens,  comes  to  J. 
Pickering's  with  him  to  administer  the  oaths  to  me  and 
R.  Manning  as  Justices. 

10.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  moderate  day.  Great 
struggle  at  G.  Assembly  for  naval  office,  Marblehead  ; 
candidates,  S.  Sewall  and  Gerry. 

11.  Saturday.  A  cold  day,  and  very  windy.  Mr. 
Cabot  and  I  go  over  to  Northfield  to  Mr.  Diman's  high 
land.  John  returns  by  the  stage  in  the  evening  with 
Capt.  Williams. 

12.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  I  go  to  church  both 
parts  of  the  day.  p.  m.,  I  hear  Jack  play  on  the  organ. 
Through  the  scarcity  of  cash,  scarce  a  dollar  is  collected 
at  Communion.     I  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Fisher's. 

13.  Monday.  A  cool,  clear  day.  Spend  the  evening 
with  Dr.  Eliot  at  Dr.  Putnam's  with  the  Club.  John 
and  co.  begin  their  Club  at  my  house  this  evening  ;  long 
may  their  motives  in  forming  it  continue,  and  may  the 
advantages  arising  from  it  be  as  durable  as  I  wish  them  ; 


232  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

may  every  seed  and  every  virtuous  sprout  or  shoot  in 
those  youths  meet  with  due  encouragement  and  produce 
plentiful  crops. 

14.  Tuesday.  Wind ;  a  snow-storm  this  morning. 
Jeremy  Nowland  comes  to  visit  his  friends,  and  is  a  new 
man. 

15.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning;  west 
wind.  Balsted,  Gregory,  and  co.,  et  a/.,  musicians,  spend 
the  morning  with  John,  and  with  them  Jeremy  Nowland. 
James  Hughes,  Esq.,  in  town.  In  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Wetmore  we  have  notice  of  the  choice  of  Stephen  Sewall 
to  the  office  Naval  at  Marblehead  ;  the  joyfullest  news 
we  have  had,  but  less  on  account  of  the  value  of  the 
office  than  of  defeating  the  plot  of  Moloch.  Long  life, 
health,  and  happiness  to  Mr.  Gill,  S.  Higginson,  Wet- 
more,  and  all  the  humane  who  exerted  themselves  on  the 
occasion  of  Stephen's  choice. 

16.  Thursday.  Cloudy  morning,  but  moderate.  I 
write  by  D.  Oliver  to  Mr.  Tudor  and  to  S.  Gridley  :  to 
the  former  on  Mr.  Oliver's  affairs,  to  the  latter  for  the 
balance  due  to  me  on  Moriarty's  affair. 

20.  Monday.  Snow-storm  continues.  A  fire  is  seen 
at  Marblehead,  and  the  engine  company,  with  great 
numbers  of  young  men,  set  out  on  horseback  and  on  foot 
for  their  assistance ;  but  the  sail  loft  is  burnt  down  be- 
fore they  get  over.  W.  Cabot  and  I  go  almost  half  way ; 
the  snow  very  deep. 

21.  Tuesday.    A  fine,  clear  day.     Mr.  Smith1  sets  out 

1  The  Mr.  Smith  here  referred  to  was  the  Hon.  Jeremiah  Smith,  after- 
wards so  distinguished  as  a  jurist  in  New  Hampshire.  He  entered  Har- 
vard College  in  1777,  but  enlisted  in  the  army  for  a  short  time  and  fought 
at  Bennington.  He  graduated  at  Queen's  College,  New  Jersey.  While 
reading  law  with  Mr.  Pynchon  he  taught  a  small  school  of  young  ladies, 
and  he  mentions  this  as  "  one  of  the  happiest  portions  of  his  life."  He 
afterwards  reached  the  highest  position  on  the  New  Hampshire  bench, 
was  for  a  year  governor  of  that  State,  and  represented  her  in  Congress. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  233 

for  Portsmouth.  I  give  him  a  memorandum  of  his 
studying  with  me  from  May,  1784,  and  of  his  having 
been  studying  at  Barnstable,  so  that  in  my  opinion  he  is 
qualified  for  admittance  to  the  office  of  an  attorney. 

22.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  but  moderate  weather.  John 
goes  to  work  in  the  office,  Pickman  to  diversion  !  General 
Glover  comes  and  complains  of  his  loss  by  fire. 

23.  TJmrsday.  Snow.  J.  Grafton,  Patty,  and  co.  go 
to  Mr.  Cutler's  exhibition  at  Wenham. 

24.  Friday.  More  snow  ;  wind  N.  E.  General  Far- 
ley comes  to  town.  Billy  Wetmore  comes  home  with 
Patty  in  the  stage.  I  write  to  Mr.  Wetmore  as  to  the 
exhibition,  and  as  to  Billy  coming  hither  from  school, 
and  as  to  Mr.  Fitch's  money,  and  acknowledgment  as  to 
brother  Stephen.  The  subscription  for  Mitchell's  poems 
goes  on  rapidly.     Mr.  Cabot  grows  worse. 

25.  Saticrday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Cabot  grows 
worse,  and  is  thought  to  be  in  danger.  Mr.  Graham 
and  Mr.  Pickman  at  tea  here. 

26.  Sunday.  Clear  and  chilly ;  S.  W.  wind.  Mr. 
Cabot  has  no  relief  yet.  Billy  writes  to  Mr.  Lowell  of 
the  dangerous  state  his  father  is  in. 

27.  Monday.  I  write  to  Mr.  Lowell.  Mr.  Cabot's 
pains  still  continue. 

28.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  Numbers  of  young  people 
come  from  Boston  and  other  towns  to  the  Assembly, 
and  at  evening  make  a  brilliant  appearance.  Mr.  Cabot 
is  greatly  relieved. 

March  I.  Wednesday.  Wrote  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver, 
and  answered  his  letter  in  substance. 

2.  Thursday.  Some  snow  and  wet.  Mr.  S.  Sparhawk 
here  from  Portsmouth. 

3.  Friday.  Scarcity  of  cash  is  alarming,  and  the 
Court  is  about  redeeming  the  State  notes  at  6/8  the 
pound. 


234  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [March, 

4.  Saturday.  Rain  and  wet  part  of  the  day.  S.  Spar- 
hawk  returns  to  Portsmouth.  His  kinsman,  N.  Spar- 
hawk,  is  bound  for  England,  and  offers  his  furniture  to 
sale. 

5.  Sunday.  High  wind  and  rain  all  last  night ;  some 
snow  in  the  morning.  Storms  arise  in  the  skies  and 
political  feuds  at  Court ;  commerce  ruined,  cash  is  fled ; 
debts  to  France,  Holland,  and  Spain  must  be  paid. 

6.  Monday.  I  go  to  Marblehead  with  clerk  Osgood. 
Tea  at  Mr.  Sewall's. 

7.  Tuesday.  S.  Sparhawk  here.  Doane's  famous 
cause  heard  at  Boston. 

8.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear,  moderate  day.  S.  Spar- 
hawk  takes  tea  with  me.     Mrs.  P.  at  Mrs.  Barton's. 

9.  Thursday.  I  write  to  N.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  and  to 
J.  Peirce,  Esq.,  by  S.  Sparhawk,  as  to  Dodge's  affair 
and  as  to  Mr.  Fisher's. 

11.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  This  day  the  first  cause 
was  tried  before  me  as  a  Justice  of  Peace,  Manning  v. 
Page. 

13.  Monday.  Pleasant  weather.  Mr.  Cabot  grows 
worse.     Town-meeting. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  I  write  to  Mr.  S. 
Bradstreet,  Boston. 

15.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  morning.  Sent  by  Charles 
Hall  to  Mr.  Wetmore,  Boston,  Judge  Greenleaf's  cer- 
tificate for  my  debt  against  Colo.    Browne's  estate  for 

;£i5-0-3f- 

16.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  wet.  The  stage  does  not 
go  to-day  to  Boston.     Mitchell  sets  out  for  Portsmouth. 

18.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Lowell  comes  at 
night  and  lodgeth  with  us. 

22.  Wednesday.     Bright  northern  light. 

25.  Saturday.  A  very  fine,  spring-like  morning. 
Mr.  Cabot  grows  worse. 


17S6.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  235 

27.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Write  Mr.  Robie  and 
George  Deblois  of  Halifax.     Mr.  Cabot  sends  for  me. 

28.  Tuesday.    A  very  fine  day.    Tea  at  Dr.  Plummer's. 

29.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Lowell  comes ;  Mr. 
Cabot  declines. 

30.  Thursday.  Mr.  Cabot  makes  his  will,  [and]  makes 
ample  provision  for  Mrs.  Mascarene  during  her  widow- 
hood. 

31.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  The  old  folk  are  in- 
vited by  tickets  to  the  Assembly.  Mr.  Lowell  goes  out 
of  town.     Mrs.  Orne  comes  to  the  Assembly. 

Aptil  1.  Saturday.  Bright  aurora  in  the  evening. 
Messrs.  Frenchman  and  Diman  dined  with  us.  A  storm, 
and  it  blew  all  night  very  violently  and  snowed. 

2.  Sunday.  Snows  and  blows  still,  so  that  people 
tarried  at  home  from  meeting  and  from  church.  French- 
man] and  Diman  at  tea  and  supper. 

3.  Monday.  Mr.  Cabot  grows  weaker.  Ab.  Waters 
put  into  jail  for  taxes. 

4.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day  ;  the  snow  thaws.  Mr.  Cabot 
free  from  pain.     Frenchman  goes  to  Boston. 

5.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  warm  day  ;  the  snow  goes  off 
rapidly.  Mr.  Cabot's  pains  come  on  again  ;  he  grows 
weaker  daily. 

6.  Thursday.  Being  Fast  Day,  we  go  to  church  at 
eleven.  John  plays  a  fine,  grave  piece  on  the  organ  ; 
p.  m.,  Mr.  Fisher  goes  with  me  to  hear  Mr.  Bentley,  and 
we  are  much  entertained.  Mr.  Barnard  prays  with  Mr. 
Cabot,  who  grows  weaker  daily.  Mr.  Goodwin,  of  Cam- 
bridge, calls. 

7.  Friday.  A  fine  morning,  though  cloudy  and  windy. 
I  send  by  Burrell  to  Dr.  Loring  as  to  Dabney's  debt;  to 
J.  Hunt  as  to  Dr.  Putnam's  debt ;  I  send  to  Mr.  Wet- 
more  N.  Abbot's  money  per  letter. 


236  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

8.  Saturday.  A  fair,  windy  day.  Mr.  Lowell  comes 
in  the  afternoon. 

16.  Sunday.  Cloudy;  wind  S.  W.  and  cool.  Fra. 
Cabot,  Esq.,  is  buried.     The  bearers  :  — 

Dr.  Putnam,  J.  Blaney, 

Mas.  Williams,  G.  Dodge, 

Jona.  Gardner,  W.  West. 

Finding  no  partner  among  the  relations,  I  walk  with 

Joshua  Ward,  who  is  so  obliging  as  to  accompany  me. 

17.  Monday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk  dines  with 
me  ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Higginson  invited,  but  go  to  Beverly. 

18.  Tuesday.  N.  E.  wind.  Poor  Still,  'tis  said,  was 
starved  to  death  in  the  ship  Africa. 

19.  Wednesday.  Fine  rain.  Mr.  Higginson  and  Good- 
ale  dine  with  me  ;  Mrs.  Higginson  unwell,  could  not 
come.  Capt.  Revell's  character  suffers  on  account  of 
Still. 

20.  Thursday.  N.  E.  wind,  cold,  and  rain.  President 
Willard  and  Professor  Williams  in  town. 

21.  Friday.  Rain  and  N.  E.  wind  all  day.  Tea  at 
Mrs.  Gerrish's.  J.  Grafton  takes  coffee  at  my  office.  A 
fire  in  [the]  E.  Parish. 

22.  Saturday.  N.  E.  storm,  rain,  and  cold.  Shock- 
ing account  of  the  treatment  of  negroes  on  board  the 
ship  Africa. 

23.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  and  N.  E.  wind  continues. 
The  account  [comes]  of  Capt.  Revell's  behaviour  and 
great  cruelty  to  his  men,  starving  and  beating  Still  to 
death. 

24.  Monday.  Rain  all  day  ;  wind  at  N.  E.  I  go  with 
John  to  Just.  Putnam's  ;  he  gives  me  an  account  of  Ab. 
Waters'  B.  sale.  Capt.  Buffington  gives  an  account  of 
Walker's  doings  and  plans.  Club  is  at  Colo.  Pickman's  ; 
I  am  too  busy  to  go. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  237 

25.  Tuesday.  Rain  and  cloudy.  Mr.  N.  and  Samuel 
Sparhawk  and  W.  Cabot  dine  with  us.  S.  Sewall  and 
Hinckley  spend  the  afternoon  on  a  very  agreeable  er- 
rand, respecting  Providence  matters.  I  visit  Ab.  Waters, 
Danvers,  and  he  gives  me  reason  to  hope  for  security 
for  my  due.  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk  mentions  his  reasons 
for  going  to  Europe,  and  they  are  at  least  plausible. 

26.  Wednesday.  At  9  o'clock  the  weather  clears  up, 
and  the  sun  appears  again,  having  disappeared  for  days 
past,  except  on  Friday  morning  last,  [when]  it  appeared 
for  a  few  minutes  only.  Write  to  Mr.  Oliver,  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  and  to  Sam.  Gridley,  Esq.,  by  B.  Stevens. 

27.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  B.  Pickman 
and  John  walk  to  Marblehead,  and  dine  there  at  S. 
Sewall's  ;  at  evening  Mrs.  P.  at  Mr.  Goodale's.  Mr. 
Pulling  and  I  at  J.  Pickering's  to  swear  him  as  County 
Register. 

28.  Friday.     Mr.  Kimball  lodgeth  here. 

29.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  This  day  brother 
Stephen  and  son,  W.  Pynchon,  called  on  us  at  breakfast, 
in  their  way  to  Manchester.  Kimball  is  here  all  day 
fiddling  and  tooting  with  John.  Mrs.  Mascarene  and 
servant  leave  W.  Cabot's  house ;  a  cool  parting  this  ! 
Mr.  Kimball  lodges  here. 

30.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Brother  Stephen  and 
son  Stephen  come  over  and,  with  W.  Cabot,  dine  with 
us  ;  tea  at  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  [they]  go  home  in  Mr.  Good- 
ale's  chaise.     Kimball  returns  and  lodges  with  John. 

May  1.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain,  and  some 
sunshine.  Mr.  Fisher  spends  the  evening  with  the  Club 
at  my  house.  Kimball  here.  I  write  again  to  Mr.  O. 
and  to  Mr.  Hughes  by  D.  O. 

2.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Bro.  Stephen  et  ux. 
and  little  Mitchell  and  Billy  at  Mr.  Goodale's  at  tea; 


238  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

Kimball  remains  and  raiseth  a  company  of  musicians  in 
the  evening. 

5.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mrs.  Mascarene  and  Mrs. 
H.  call  on  us.  S.  Barnard  came  to  town  from  Deer- 
field. 

6.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Wrote  to  Stephen 
Hissfinson  as  to  Smith's  debt.  S.  Barnard  calls  to  see 
me,  and  takes  a  letter  to  J.  Williams  respecting  his  con- 
cerns with  executors  of  F.  Cabot  and  the  money  sent  by 
me  to  him. 

7.  Sunday.  At  church  all  day  ;  it  rained,  and  Mr.  F. 
preached  in  his  surplice.  At  night  Mrs.  Pynchon  tells 
me  of  Mr.  Goodale's  remarks  ;  et  tu,  Brute  ! 

8.  Monday.  Cold  and  clear.  I  write  to  Samuel  Sew- 
all,  Esq.,  by  Wait. 

9.  Tuesday.  Clear  and. pleasant.  I  call  at  Dr.  Hol- 
yoke's,  and  see  Mrs.  Mascarene. 

10.  Wednesday.  [In  the]  morning  at  Dr.  Holyoke's 
again,  and  write  to  Dr.  Kneeland  and  to  Calef ;  see 
Mrs.  Mascarene  and  invite  her  to  spend  the  day. 

11.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cool.  At  [the]  funeral  of 
F.  Cabot's  child. 

12.  Friday.  Cloudy.  Yesterday  W.  Cabot  desired 
me  to  inquire  as  to  rent  of  the  house. 

13.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  warm  day.  J.  Jef- 
fry  and  I  walk  to  Mrs.  Orne's  farm,  and  find  John  and 
F.  Goodale  there  at  tea  ;  at  evening  we  walk  home.  W. 
Cabot  shows  us  his  present  from  Capt.  Carpenter  of  a 
cane  and  a  pair  of  Persian  slippers,  wrought  with  gold 
on  a  scarlet  cloth  ;  all  rich  and  grand. 

16.  Tuesday.  A  cool,  fine  morning.  Mr.  Pickfman], 
Osgood,  and  I,  at  half  past  six,  set  out  for  Andover  ; 
arrive  at  half  past  ten  ;  the  reference  between  Wingate 
and  Mulliken,  Mr.   Phillips,  B.  Bartlett,  and  myself,  ref- 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  239 

erees.     The  parties  meet  in  the  evening,  and,  we  not 
concluding,  adjourn  to  July  Court,  Salem. 

19.  Friday.  Pleasant.  Mr.  Fisher  hath  letters  from 
Mr.  Wren,  Portsmouth,  whose  letters  are  worth  reading  ; 
his  example,  goodness  of  disposition,  his  life  and  con- 
duct, worth  every  one's  attention  and  imitation. 

20.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  wet.  I  write  to  Ben.  Eaton 
as  to  Mr.  Cary's  debts.  Mr.  Amory,  Otis,  John,  and 
co.  spend  the  evening  with  B.  P.  No  news  yet  from 
Mr.  O. 

21.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate,  cool  weather; 
wind  still  N.  E.  We  daily  hear  of  great  uneasiness  and 
turbulence  in  country  towns  on  account  of  taxes  ;  of 
declarations  that  they  will  not  pay  them. 

22.  Monday.  Wrote  to  Sheriff  Moulton,  inclosing 
execution,  Carpenter  v.  Cole,  with  orders  to  take  effects 
sufficient,  and  in  that  case  need  not  incommode  or  make 
further  costs  to  Cole  ;  if  half  the  cash  can  be  had,  and 
personal  security  for  the  rest,  it  may  do  ;  sent  by  post. 

24.  Wednesday.  Dr.  Plummer's  horse  threw  and  hurt 
him. 

25.  Thursday.  Coomes  examined  as  to  murder  of  his 
wife.  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Hughes  come  and  lodge  at 
my  house.     Mrs.  Derby  was  buried.     Bearers  :  — 

Fiske,  Cleveland, 

W.  Pickman,  S.  Blyth, 

B.  Goodhue. 

27.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Isaac  Coomes,  in 
jail  for  murder,  confesseth  the  charge  under  his  hand. 

28.  Sunday.  A  pleasant  day.  I  go  to  church  with- 
out cloak. 

31.  Wednesday.  Election  Day.  I  go  with  W.  Cabot 
to  see  Mr.  Orne ;  drink  tea  there.  Mr.  Cabot  takes 
cold  and  has  a  nervous  headache  in  the  evening.     At 


240  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

evening  [John]  has  a  company  of  singers,  and  they  go 
about  serenading.  The  lawyers  are,  most  of  them,  turned 
or  left  out  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  are  vilified  in 
the  public  prints.  We  hear  from  Mr.  Oliver  that  he 
can't  come  before  the  first  week  of  June. 

June  2.  Friday.  Capt.  Moseley  sails  and  leaves  my 
books  behind.  Such  is  my  luck  in  life  !  Behind  !  be- 
hind ! 

3.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Wrote  to  D. 
Cheever,  Esq.,  as  to  Putnam's  debt.  Very  hot  at  noon, 
and  cloudy  p.  m.  J.  Williams  comes  from  Boston ;  J. 
Lee  and  ux.  from  Cambridge. 

4.  Sunday.  A  fine,  pleasant,  and  clear  morning.  It 
being  Whitsunday,  John  is  to  give  us  a  voluntary.  Very 
hot  day.     Tea  at  Mr.  Grafton's. 

5.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  morning  ;  wind  at  N.  E. 
and  cold.  Mr.  Williams  sets  out  in  the  stage  for  Boston, 
having  seen  Mr.  Cabot,  and  is  to  write  to  brother  Pyn- 
chon  in  order  for  adjustment  of  accounts  of  our  estates. 

8.  Thursday.  A  very  warm  day.  At  evening  Mr. 
Oliver,  Sally,  and  Miss  Chase  come  in  the  stage.  Ma- 
dam Pickman  dies.1 

10.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  p.  m.,  S.  Sewall, 
Esq.,  calls  to  see  Mr.  Oliver  and  to  ask  him  to  preach  at 
Marblehead  to-morrow.  I  write  to  B.  Bradish  and  to 
Eb.  Tuck  as  to  Mr.  Deblois. 

11.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cool.  Mr.  Oliver  goes  to 
Marblehead  in  Mr.  Lee's  chaise,  which  was  sent  for 
him. 

12.  Monday.  A  fine  day,  at  times  fair,  at  others  cloudy. 
I  go  to  Boston  on  Mr.  Oliver's  and  my  own  business, 
with  Daland's  horse  and  carriage  ;  bring  home  the  maga- 
zines from  Mr.  Russell's  store,  where  Capt.  Lyde  left 

1  Mrs.  Pickman  was  the  wife  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Pickman  ;  her  maiden 
name  was  Love  Rawlins. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  24 1 

them.     I    lodge   at   Mr.    Wetmore's,   breakfast  at   Mr. 
Lowell's. 

13.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Oliver  and  Miss  Chase  go  to  Ports- 
mouth. I  bring  home  from  Boston  the  magazines  and 
the  "Beauties  of  Shakespeare,"  etc.  The  weather  is 
warm.     Last  evening  Mrs.  Pickman  was  buried. 

14.  Wednesday.  The  magazines  are  disposed  of.  The 
bearers  to  Madam  Pickman,  Mr.  Turner  and  Dr.  Put- 
nam. 

16.  Friday.  A  fine  day,  but  cloudy,  and  rain  at  night. 
Mr.  Oliver  and  Miss  Chase  from  Portsmouth. 

17.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  rain  in  the  morning,  but 
clears  up,  and  carriages,  horses,  and  chaises  in  plenty  for 
Charlestown  to  meet  the  crowd,  and  to  pass  Charlestown 
bridge.  General  Farley,  Estey,  and  Stephens  meet  at 
my  office  in  order  for  a  settlement  of  his  execution  for 
[the]  June  term.  John  and  Ward  set  out  at  half  past 
eleven  for  the  bridge. 

18.  Sunday.  Cloudy  morning;  some  rain  in  the 
afternoon,  but  it  clears  up  again.  Mr.  Fenno  takes  the 
S.  W.  corner  pew  at  church.  Mrs.  Oliver  and  Miss 
Chase  return  from  Marblehead  at  eve[ning]  ;  Mr.  O. 
remains  there.  John  and  Ward  return  early  this  morn- 
ing. 

20.  Tuesday.  Clear  day.  I  meet  with  difficulty  to  get 
an  horse  for  Ipswich  Court ;  at  length  John  and  I  set 
out  with  Cheever's  horse  and  carriage. 

21.  Wednesday.  Comes  on  the  trial  of  Murray's  cause, 
of  Gloucester,  with  the  parish  officers,  and  I  set  out  with 
Mr.  Sewall's  lady  for  Salem,  and  return  to  Ipswich  that 
night. 

22.  Thursday.  Isaac  Coomes,  the  Indian,  is  arraigned 
for  murder  of  his  wife,  and  pleads  not  guilty,  and  trial  to 
be  to-morrow. 

16 


242  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

23.  Friday.  Come  on  the  capital  trials  of  Coomes 
for  murder,  of  .  .  .  for  burglary  and  theft,  and  of  .  .  . 
for  theft. 

24.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  At  4  o'clock  a.  m.  the 
Jury  agree  on  a  verdict  of  guilty  as  to  Coomes,  and,  be- 
ing tired  and  in  want  of  air  and  rest,  some  of  them 
walked  out  by  the  door  to  take  the  air,  and  went  among 
people  in  other  rooms  in  the  tavern,  and  talked  with 
some  persons  they  had  met  about  the  power  and  duty  of 
the  Jury  as  to  verdicts,  of  manslaughter,  and  of  murder, 
and  inquired  people's  opinions  out  of  doors  ;  and  this 
was  objected  to  by  Coomes's  counsel  before  verdict,  and, 
at  the  Court's  instance,  done  in  writing,  signed  by  the 
counsel  ;  but  the  verdict  was  given  in  and  affirmed  ;  and 
on  considering  that  there  were  no  books  nor  cases  pro- 
duced exactly  similar  to  the  present,  the  Court  continued 
the  Indictment  to  next  term,  notwithstanding  the  ur- 
gency of  Attorney-General  Paine  for  sentence.  Judge 
Sewall  and  lady  set  out  from  Salem  and  dine  at  Ipswich  ; 
B.  Pickman  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  with  them.  Mr.  Oliver 
goes  to  Boston  and  exchangeth  with  Mr.  Parker  ;  he  to 
Providence.  At  evening  Mrs.  Pynchon  returned  home 
with  me,  Pickman  and  John  in  their  chaise. 

yuly  I.  Saturday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  I  dine  at 
Mr.  Goodale's  with  Mitchell  Sewall  and  Dr.  Holyoke. 
p.  m.,  I  go  to  the  Fort  and  spend  the  afternoon  with  J. 
Grafton  and  others  ;  we  walk  down,  all  but  Mitchell  and 
J.  Grafton  ;  the  latter  carrieth  me  back  in  his  chaise. 

2.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  morning.  Mr. 
Oliver  and  Fitch  go  to  Marblehead  in  Mr.  Stacey's 
chaise,  and  return  at  evening.  I  go  home  with  Mrs. 
Orne  and  lodge  there,  to  walk  home  in  the  morning. 

3.  Monday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  I  get  home  from 
Danvers  by  half  past  six  o'clock  in  the  morning. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  243 

5.  Wednesday.  A  cool,  clear  day.  Mr.  Oliver  goes 
to  Boston.  I  go  to  widow  A.  Waters's  with  Mr.  Noyes 
in  the  afternoon  ;  she  concludes  to  administer  on  his 
estate. 

6.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  morning ;  wind  N.  W. 
Last  evening  agreed  with  Burrell  to  pay  him  five  dollars 
a  year  for  carrying  all  letters  and  packets  to  and  from 
Boston,  including  small  bundles  only.  [In  the]  morning 
fire  is  cried  with  great  vehemence  ;  the  eastern  bell  rings 
terribly,  and  sets  the  rest  a-jingling  ;  the  street  is  in- 
stantly filled  ;  all  cry  fire,  save  a  drunken  fellow  and  a 
fishmonger ;  the  one  cries  murder,  the  other,  fresh  fish 
fit  for  the  pan  ;  the  engines  are  dragged  furiously  along 
the  street,  but  no  fire  is  to  be  seen  ;  a  quarrel  ensues  ; 
one  party  affirms  there  was  no  fire,  one  of  the  other  side 
offered  to  swear  that  he  smelt  it.  So  all  return  laugh- 
ing [and]  in  good  humour. 

7.  Friday.  A  cool,  pleasant  day.  Mitchell  Sewall 
returns  from  Boston  with  the  bad  news  of  brother 
Stephen's  loss  of  the  naval  office  at  Marblehead. 

8.  Saturday.  Wind  south  ;  in  the  afternoon  a  fine 
shower.  Brother  Stephen  came  over  by  6  o'clock  this 
morning  to  see  Mitchell,  and  tarryeth  ;  they  dine  at  Mr. 
Goodale's. 

9.  Sunday.  A  very  fine  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver 
dine  at  Judge  Oliver's,  and  go  to  church  ;  he  preacheth 
all  day  ;  Mitchell  Sewall  at  church  all  day  ;  he  and  F. 
Goodale  dine  at  W.  Cabot's.  We  hear  [that]  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  adjourns  to  next  January,  Stephens,  the 
sheriff,  having  obtained  an  order  for  rehearing. 

10.  Monday.  A  very  fine  morning.  Mitchell  and 
Francis  Goodale  set  off  for  Portsmouth. 

11.  Tuesday.  Common  Pleas  term  begins.  A  fine 
day,  clear  and  pleasant.  I  have  a  letter  from  P.  Oliver, 
Esq.,  at  Birmingham. 


244  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

14.  Friday.  The  Court  being  pressed  in  business  of 
the  Sessions,  the  Common  Pleas  declare  it  to  be  time  the 
Court  adjourn  without  day. 

15.  Saturday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  return  from  Ips- 
wich to  breakfast,  having  been  at  the  exhibition  there. 
Mr.  Oliver  and  his  brother  Lynde  set  out  for  Marble- 
head. 

16.  Sunday.  No  church  to-day,  Mr.  Fisher  being  ill. 
I  spend  the  evening  with  Dr.  Holyoke  and  S.  Higginson 
at  F.  Cabot's. 

18.  Tuesday.  A  fine  rain  ;  wind  N.  E.  and  cool.  All 
are  preparing  for  Commencement. 

19.  Wed7iesday.  Cloudy  morning  and  cool.  Mr.  Good- 
ale,  F.  Cabot,  Davenport,  and  myself  set  out  in  Burrell's 
waggon  at  half  past  5  o'clock  for  Cambridge  ;  we  wear 
our  cloaks  and  surtouts,  and  arrive  at  Cambridge  at  three 
quarters  after  9  o'clock.  The  sun  breaks  out,  and  the 
weather  grew  warm  before  noon.  The  exercises,  exhibi- 
tion's, etc.,  continue  till  3  o'clock  ;  the  procession  is  pre- 
ceded by  musick,  —  2  French  horns,  clarinets,  etc.,  which 
go  into  the  meeting-house  and  file  off  at  the  pulpit,  go 
into  the  gallery,  and  there  are  joined  by  seven  singers, 
and  continue  till  the  people  are  seated  and  the  house 
filled.  At  night  Mr.  Goodale,  Winslow,  and  myself 
walk  to  Charlestown  and  lodge  at  Mr.  Winslow's,  and 
return  to  Salem  the  next  evening  in  the  waggon. 

21.  Friday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  set  out  in  Burrell's 
stage  for  Boston,  in  order  to  go  to  Providence. 

22.  Saturday.  A  warm  day.  Mr.  King,  from  Ports- 
mouth, proposeth  to  come  and  settle  in  Salem. 

24.  Monday.  A  clear,  pleasant  day.  N.  Sparhawk 
and  son  here.  In  the  afternoon  I  go  with  T.  Lee  in  his 
chaise  to  Cook's,  Danvers,  and  stop  at  H.  Derby's  on 
our  return  at  tea. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  245 

25.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Kimball  dines  with  John,  and 
lodgeth  here.  R.  Hooper's  mortgage  and  bond  to  Bacon 
are  missing. 

26.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Cockle  in  town  from  Mt.  De- 
sert. Mr.  Reed  from  Cambridge.  Mr.  Kimball  lodges 
here. 

27.  Thursday.  A  fine,  moderate  rain.  Mr.  Pulling 
and  I  go  to  the  prison  house  upon  the  affairs  of  Kimball 
and  Poor.  Snow,  from  Springfield,  calls  on  me  ;  by  him 
I  send  letters  to  Boston. 

28.  Friday.     A  fine,  clear  day.     J.  Jackson  calls. 

29.  Saturday.  A  cold,  fine  morning.  Mr.  Hooper's 
papers  not  found  yet.  W.  Cabot,  Mrs.  Pynchon,  Miss 
Gerrish,  and  I  go  to  Mr.  Orne's,  Danvers.  I  have  a 
letter  from  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk  this  day. 

August  1.  Tuesday.  Mr.  George  Deblois  comes  in 
from  Boston,  where  he  arrived  from  Halifax,  and  set  out 
for  Newbury. 

2.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Deblois  returns  from  Newbury 
at  night. 

3.  Thursday.  Mr.  Deblois  and  I  go  to  Mrs.  Higgin- 
son's. 

4.  Friday.  Mr.  Webster's  lecture.  Mr.  Deblois  goes 
with  me  to  the  lecture,  and  about  26  were  present  and 
much  entertained.     Mr.  Amory  lodgeth  with  John. 

5.  Saturday.  A  very  warm  day.  I  dine  with  Mr. 
Webster  and  others  at  F.  Cabot's  ;  a  genteel  dinner  and 
good  company.  Mr.  Deblois  dines  at  Capt.  Lee's  ; 
John  and  Mr.  Amory  dine  with  B.  Pickman.  Mr.  De- 
blois goes  to  visit  S.  Williams'  daughter  Deblois.  Mr. 
Amory  sets  out  for  Newbury. 

7.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm  day,  as  was  yesterday  also. 
Mr.  Wetmore's  lad  came  yesterday  with  a  line  acquaint- 
ing us  that  Mrs.  Wetmore  had  another  daughter. 


246  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

8.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  The  Court  of  Sessions 
meet ;  Just.  S.  Choate  presides  ;  in  the  afternoon  they 
adjourn  without  day.  Mr.  Deblois  writes  to  Mr.  Ather- 
ton  ;  I  to  S.  Phillips  as  to  Wingate. 

9.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  N.  E.  I  write  by  Mr. 
Deblois  to  Mr.  Oliver,  Providence.  Mr.  Webster's  lec- 
ture. 

10.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  day ;  cool  air.  Letters 
from  Mr.  Oliver  ;  his  to  Stewart  I  send  by  Foster  to 
Marblehead. 

11.  Friday.  A  clear  morning.  Mr.  Webster's  lecture 
this  evening  was  entertaining  and  useful. 

12.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Eliot  comes  to 
preach  for  Mr.  Barnard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  come 
with  his  daughter  ;  she  goes  to  Beverly,  the  parents  to 
W.  Cabot's.  Daniel  Oliver  goes  on  board  for  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Eliot  spends  the  evening  with  us.  John  et  al.  go  on 
board  with  D.  Oliver  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

13.  Stmday.  I  go  to  hear  Mr.  Eliot,  and  am  much  en- 
tertained. 

14.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lowell  set 
out  from  Beverly  for  Portsmouth. 

15.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Webster  lectured  last  evening  at 
the  school-house. 

16. 'Wednesday.  Mr.  Webster's  lecture  at  evening, 
giving  an  account  of  his  travels  through  the  several 
Southern  States  and  most  of  the  Northern  States  of 
America  ;  on  Monday  last  his  lecture  was  upon  educa- 
tion of  youths,  male  and  female  ;  he  spends  the  evening 
at  my  house. 

17.  T/iursday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  Agreed  with 
Miss  Ab.  Gerrish  for  her  house  and  appurtenances  at 
£2$  a  year  rent ;  and  if  her  friends  or  neighbours  say  I 
ought  to  give  more  I  am  to  give  it,  I  to  provide  me  a 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  247 

chimney  in  the  office  at  my  own  expense  ;  if  our  friends 
say  that  the  rent  is  too  high,  it  is  to  be  reduced.  On 
yesterday  morning  John  goes  with  Davenport  to  Beverly, 
thence  to  Gloucester,  and  returns  this  evening. 

18.  Friday.  Cloudy  morning.  I  write  to  Mr.  Wet- 
more  as  to  Browne's  executors.  R.  Hooper,  Esq.,  calls, 
and  gives  a  dismal  account  of  the  credit  of  the  neigh- 
bouring States  ;  all  going  together  by  the  ears,  poverty 
and  distress  are  coming  on,  paper  currency,  party  spirit, 
malice,  mob's  spite,  and  the  Devil ;  another  revolution  ; 
some  adhere  to  France,  some  to  Britain  ;  some  curse  the 
leaders,  some  the  Whigs,  others  Tories. 

19.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  The  mason,  Graves's 
man  goes  to  making  mortar  for  the  office  chimney. 

.  .20.   Sunday.    A  fine  morning;  wind  south.    At  church 
/all  day ;  minim  !     Mr.  Beal  and  lady  at  church. 

21.  Monday.  Very  warm.  The  masons,  Stimson  and 
Graves,  begin  on  my  office  chimney.  Clerk  Osgood 
moves  his  office  to  the  Court  House. 

23.  Wednesday.  We  move  from  Mr.  Cabot's  to  Mrs. 
Gerrish's  house,  and  lodge  there. 

24.  Thursday.  Mr.  Deblois  and  I  set  out  for  Amherst ; 
lodge  at  Merrimack. 

25.  Friday.  We  go  into  Amherst ;  dine  at  Wilkins's  ; 
I  visit  Mr.  Dana,  and  Mr.  D.  and  I  ask  Mr.  Atherton  to 
dine  with  us  there  ;  he  does  so.  We  set  out  from  Am- 
herst, [and]  lodge  at  Kendall's,  Lichfield. 

26.  Saturday.  We  set  out  from  Kendall's,  lodge  at 
Haverhill,  Greenleaf's,  [and]  visit  Judge  Sargeant  at 
evening. 

27.  Sunday.  We  set  out  for  Topsfield,  miss  our  way, 
and  do  not  get  there  till  eleven  o'clock,  too  late  for 
meeting  ;  dine  at  Baker's  ;  go  to  meeting,  and  after 
meeting  set  out  for  Salem. 


248  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

29.  Tuesday.  Fair  and  warm.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Cary  as 
to  Eaton  and  Sheldon. 

30.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine  day.  We  make  a  fire  in 
the  new  stove  in  my  office.  Sent  to  Chace,  of  Provi- 
dence, the  note  he  wrote  for. 

September  1.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  John  re- 
turns home  from  his  tour  to  Newbury,  etc.,  with  Daven- 
port.    News  from  North  Hampton. 

2.  Saturday.  Judge  Sewall,  of  York,  with  Major 
Sewall,  his  brother,  here  with  Mrs.  Sewall ;  they  go  off 
for  Boston. 

3.  Sunday.  A  fine  day  ;  a  little  sprinkling  of  rain. 
I  go  to  church  in  the  morning  ;  at  Judge  Oliver's  in  the 
evening,  and  afterwards  till  eleven  at  Dr.  Holyoke's. 

4.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  Mr.  Willard,  of 
Winchester,  here. 

5.  Tuesday.  The  Court  of  Common  Pleas  is  to  meet 
at  Amherst.  Rumours  prevail  as  to  their  being  pre- 
vented by  the  populace,  as  well  there  as  in  other  coun- 
ties. 

7.  Tlmrsday.  J.  C,  of  Beverly,  owns  S.  C.  for  his 
natural  son,  and  will  support  him  according  to  his  con- 
duct. 

8.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool.  F.  Cabot  here,  and  W. 
Vans,  Esq.,  on  politicks. 

9.  Saturday.  Fair,  clear,  and  cool.  A  town  meeting 
at  Reading  for  tryal  of  the  inclination  of  the  people  as 
to  the  militia  going  to  protect  [the]  Concord  Court.  Mr. 
Oliver  here  at  tea  with  Mrs.  Oliver,  Andrew,  and  Polly. 
We  hear  that  Gov.  Bowdoin  is  to  march  to  Concord  at 
the  head  of  companies  of  artillery  and  militia  from 
Suffolk  and  Middlesex.  Query  the  tendency  of  cannons, 
arms,  and  apparatus  of  the  kind,  in  the  country  and 
among  people  labouring  under  grievous  taxes  and  bur- 


1786.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  249 

dens  ?     On   Sunday  the  counter  orders  issue,  and  the 
militia  not  to  muster. 

10.  Sunday.  A  very  fine,  clear,  and  warm  day.  Mr. 
Oliver  read  prayers  at  church. 

11.  Monday.  Mr.  Oliver  goes  over  to  Marblehead 
with  Mr.  Hinckley.     It  rained  at  evening. 

12.  Tuesday.  The  Court  of  Common  Pleas  stopped 
at  Concord.     Plentiful  rain. 

13.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  Mrs.  Vans  go  over 
to  Marblehead.  Rumour  of  wrangles  with  Parsons  at 
Newburyport  as  to  politics. 

14.  Thursday.  Phealen  goes  to  jail  for  house-break- 
ing. News  from  Newbury  that  the  militia  will  support 
the  Court. 

15.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool.  I  go  to  Marblehead 
with  W.  Cabot,  and  breakfast  with  Mr.  Oliver.  Write 
to  W.  Wetmore,  and  send  B.  Bradish's  debt  to  him  by 
Burrell ;  also  wrote  to  S.  Chace,  Esq.,  as  to  the  note. 

16.  Saturday.  A  clear,  fine  day.  Favourable  news 
from  Taunton  ;  the  Court  sit  and  adjourn  without  doing 
business  ;  the  mob  of  400  disperse,  well  pleased,  as  't  is 
said.  In  the  afternoon  news  from  G.  Barrington  that 
the  mob  have  broken  the  gaols  and  let  out  the  prisoners. 
Aq.  Wilkins  says  we  shall  find  no  peace  till  justice  be 
done  to  the  soldiers  who  purchased  our  independence. 
Rumours  of  great  uneasiness  at  Rowley  as  to  the  sitting 
of  the  Courts  before  redress  of  grievances. 

17.  Sunday.  [In  the]  morning  at  church,  Salem; 
afternoon  at  Marblehead.  Mr.  Fisher  preached  at  Salem, 
Mr.  Oliver  at  Marblehead  ;  a  full  congregation. 

18.  Monday.  A  cloudy  day.  Mr.  Jackson  from  Bos- 
ton and  Mr.  Cary  from  Newbury.  A  countryman 
comes  in  with  [a]  new  list  of  grievances.  One  was  the 
cursed  bank  of  money  in  Boston,  where  they  let  none  of 


250  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

it  go  into  the  country  ;  it  ought  to  be  divided,  he  said ; 
so  offer  was  made  him  of  a  bank-note  for  his  wood  ;  he 
would  not  take  the  cursed  paper  stuffe  for  his  wood,  not 
he ;  they  might  give  him  the  dollars,  and  keep  the  bills 
to  themselves.  Another  was  the  governor's  salary,  when 
he  could  find  several  [who]  would  serve  as  governor  for 
half  a  crown  a  day.  Then  the  women  of  the  governor's 
family  lived  without  work,  when  they  should  go  to  work, 
as  well  as  his  wife  and  daughters. 

19.  Ttiesday.     The  Superior  Court  at  Worcester  sit, 
<          and  the  Grand  Jury  are  charged  to  inquire  as  to  the  in- 

^  surgents,  and  to  prosecute  them. 

20.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Hooper  and  Mr.  Bentley  here  at 
coffee.  Mr.  Cabot  brings  news  from  Great  Barrington 
of  the  extravagance  of  the  rabble,  abuses  of  the  Court 
and  lawyers,  and  preventing  the  sitting  of  the  Court, 
and  threats  of  the  Superior  Court. 

21.  Thursday.  A  fine  morning.  Judge  Holten  in 
town  ;  intends  to  be  at  Newbury  Court.  I  carry  home  to 
Marblehead  Polly  and  Andrew  Oliver,  and  bring  back 
Mrs.  Pynchon.  Write  to  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Dr.  Loring 
by  Butler  as  to  Dabney's  debts,  etc. 

22.  Friday.  A  clear,  cool  morning.  Deacon  Edmund 
Putnam  is  taken  and  committed  on  execution. 

23.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Deacon  Edmund 
Putnam's  son  and  another  offered  bonds  for  liberty  of 
the  yard,  but  are  objected  to  by  Stephens  as  insufficient. 
Rumours  from  New  Hampshire  that  the  insurgents 
against  the  Governor  and  against  the  General  Assembly 
are  dispersed  by  the  militia,  and  30  of  them  seized  and 
thrown  into  prison.  Packet  from  New  York  comes  as 
to  bounds  of  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

24.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  day.  At  church 
in   the   afternoon.     Query  the   event   of    Stevens'   suit 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  2$l 

against  Mr.  Turner,  on  his  promise  to  save  Stevens 
harmless  for  not  serving  execution,  etc.,  on  his  son  in  his 
lunacy. 

25.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  comes,  and 
I  set  out  with  him  in  his  chaise  for  Newbury  Court,  and 
lodge  at  Adams's  ;  get  breakfast  at  Romans',  and  get 
to  Newbury  before  eleven,  Tuesday. 

26.  Tuesday.  [In  the]  morning  before  eleven  we 
overtake  Justice  Phillips  on  the  road  to  Court.  At 
Newbury  we  find  [an]  artillery  company  mustered,  [with] 
fifes  and  drums,  and  parading  about  the  town  to  protect ; 
the  Court  in  case  of  need,  but  all  is  quiet ;  the  Court 
opens  and  proceeds  to  business,  but  with  many  marks  of 
timidity. 

27.  Wednesday.  Fair  weather.  A  continued  action 
tried  by  the  Jury,  and  some  continued  actions  are  de- 
faulted, but  not  one  new  one,  yet  costs  were  given  upon 
complaint  of  discontinuance.  Query  the  reason,  as  it 
was  in  plaintiff's  absence  —  timidity  or  selfishness  ? 
Mr.  Phillips  goes  off  to  Boston,  being  President  of  the 
Senate. 

28.  Thursday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  The  Court  go 
on  with  Sessions  business,  highways,  licenses,  etc.  ;  that 
done,  [they]  order  all  the  new  entries  to  stand  continued 
to  next  term  ;  quo  juref  qua  ratione?  Why  give  judg-i 
ment  against  plaintiff  for  costs  on  discontinuance,  which  | 
for  aught  appears  might  have  been  owing  to  the  present 
commotions,  and  not  for  him  against  his  debtor,  who  de- 
clined payment  for  same  reason  ?  Surely  here  are  the 
signs  of  partiality,  timidity,  and  "disorder.  At  evening 
Mr.  Wetmore  and  I  set  off  from  Newbury,  and  lodge  at 
Ipswich,  and  next  morning  breakfast  at  Salem. 

29.  Friday.     A  clear,  fine  day.     The  clerk  (Osgood) 
returns  home,   and  says   the   Court  of  Pleas,  etc.,  ad- 


252  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [October, 

journed  last  evening  without  day.  Mrs.  Orne  goes  over 
to  see  Mrs.  Oliver  at  Marblehead  with  S.  Sewall,  Esq., 
in  his  carriage. 

30.  Saturday.  A  clear  and  very  warm  day.  Both 
creditors  and  debtors  are  dissatisfied  at  the  Court's 
proceedings  ;  some  have  judgments,  others  not ;  wretched 
timidity  and  partiality. 

October  1 .  Sunday.  I  go  to  church  ;  am  introduced 
to  the  pew  by  John.  Brother  Stephen  has  good  news  ; 
I  write  to  President  Phillips  for  his  aid. 

2.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Rumours  of  treason,  riots, 
etc.,  etc.     Mrs.  Orne  returns  hither  from  Marblehead. 

3.  Tuesday.  Cloudy.  Superior  Court,  about  return- 
ing from  Springfield,  durst  not  go  to  Great  Barrington 
Court.  Rumours  prevail  to-day  of  great  numbers  in 
different  parts  of  the  State  desiring  to  return  to  their 
old  friends  the  Britons,  and  of  a  number  of  subscriptions 
handed  a"bout  among  the  people  for  that  end. 

4.  Wednesday.  We  hear  that  the  Superior  Court  ar- 
rived at  Boston  on  Saturday  last  at  evening,  having  ad- 
journed on  Thursday,  and  having  done  very  little,  if  any, 
business  ;  no  Grand  Jury  attended  to  do  business. 

5.  Thursday.  A  fair  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon  keeps  cham- 
ber yet. 

6.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  rain  most  of  the  day.  We 
hear  from  Boston  of  the  debates  in  General  Court ;  some 
for  vigorous  measures  and  for  suspension  of  the  Habeas 
Corpus  Act ;  others  for  a  redress  of  grievances,  and  for 
all  mild,  soothing  measures  first. 

7.  Saturday.  Mr.  Grafton  brings  a  message  from 
Boston  from  Barnard's  ship.  Mr.  Vans  gives  us  good 
news  from  Boston  as  to  brother  Stephen's  office,  and 
news  of  confusions  at  Court  and  in  the  country,  east  to 
west. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  253 

8.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day ;  cool.  Mr.  Fisher 
shews  me  the  proceedings  of  the  Bishops  in  England  as 
to  ordination  of  foreigners. 

9.  Monday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  day.  Mr.  Lane  comes 
to  town  from  Gloucester,  where  he  landed.  He  came  in 
Capt.  Barnard.  I  write  to  Moses  Hudson  as  to  a  mis- 
take in  [the]  settlement  of  Mr.  Cabot's  and  Gardner's 
suits,  and  to  Theophilus  Parsons  as  to  Hawkes.  Letters 
from  R.  Auchmuty  and  from  S.  Curwen,  Esq.,  from 
London.  Mrs.  Newhall,  of  Shelburn,  and  daughters 
here. 

10.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Wetmore  and  Mrs. 
Pynchon  set  out  in  his  chaise  for  Boston. 

13.  Friday.     Dr.  Kneeland  and  lady  come  to  town. 

14.  Saturday.  A  fine  morning.  Dr.  Kneeland  calls 
to  see  me.  W.  Cabot  and  I,  Mrs.  G.,  and  Ab.  Gerrish 
go  to  Mr.  Orne's  farm.  Affairs  of  state  go  on  heavily 
at  General  Court ;  they  venture  not  to  suspend  the 
Habeas  Corpus  Act. 

16.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  I  set  out  in  the  stage 
with  Colo.  Pickman  for  Boston  ;  Mrs.  Pynchon  returns 
from  thence  in  Mr.  Orne's  chaise  by  way  of  Charles- 
town.  I  went  over  Winnisimet  ferry  and  dined  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's,  and  received  J.  Oliver's  letter. 

17.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  rains.  I  set  out  in  the 
rain  for  the  ferry,  and  return  to  Salem  at  night. 

20.  Friday.  I  write  again  to  S.  Curwen,  Esq.,  as  to 
Mr.  Noyes's  books  and  Dr.  P.'s  remittance. 

23.  Monday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Mrs.  Pynchon, 
in  the  afternoon,  goes  to  Marblehead  with  Mr.  Oliver  in 
his  chaise. 

24.  Tuesday.  A  clear,  pleasant  day.  I  write  to  Judge 
Oliver  per  ship  Live  Oak,  [and]  send  it  by  Mr.  Vans 
to  Boston  ;  also  write  to  Gen'l  Farley  by  J.  Hinckley  as 
to  Stevens's  affair. 


254  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

25.  Wednesday.  A  fine  morning  ;  moderate,  but  over- 
cast. Wrote  to  Mr.  Atherton  and  to  Chase,  for  him 
and  Darrah,  as  to  their  note.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne  dine 
with  me ;  we  all  sup  at  W.  Cabot's. 

27.  Friday.  Wait  takes  Boardman  for  Mrs.  Cabot  on 
Pickering's  execution  against  him,  returnable  November, 
1786. 

28.  Saturday.  A  very  fine  day.  Eb.  Hawkes  dines 
with  me.  Mrs.  Pynchon  returns  from  Marblehead.  Mr. 
Vans  returns  from  Boston  with  news  of  the  Riot  Act 
and  Tender  Act  and  Lottery  Act  passed. 

29.  Sunday.  Cool  and  windy.  I  go  up  to  Mr.  Orne's 
and  lodge,  acquainting  him  of  the  good  news  as  to 
Boardman's  debt. 

30.  Monday.  Cloudy  day.  Mr.  Orne  comes  to  town, 
and  lodges  at  Mrs.  Pickman's. 

31.  Tuesday.  A  cool,  clear  day.  Trial  between 
Davenport  and  Graam  before  Justice  Manning  had  this 
day.  Graam  is  fined  5/  and  pays  costs,  16/.  Daven- 
port's letter,  warrant,  and  horse  hire  cost  him  about  20/. 

;    News  from  the  country  that  [there  are]  no  insurgents 
,   nor  opposition  to  the  Court  sitting  at  Cambridge  ;  and 
't  is  said  that  2000  militia,  etc.,  are  ready  equipped  there 
to  support  the  Court. 

November  1.  Wednesday.  A  cool  day.  Mr.  Orne 
returns  home  ;  in  his  way  goes  to  vendue  of  Felt's 
farm.  No  insurgents  yet  at  Cambridge,  and  [the]  Court 
proceeds  to  business. 

2.  Thursday.  A  cool  day.  I  go  to  Beverly  with  S. 
Blyth  ;  tea  at  A.  Cabot's  ;  visit  Mrs.  Higginson  and  her 
daughter  Cabot  at  G.  Cabot's  ;  speak  with  C.  Wallis  as 
to  lad  ;  return  in  the  evening  by  fine  moonlight.  Even- 
ing at  Mr.  Goodale's  and  part  at  Dr.  Holyoke's. 

4.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  John  sets  off 
in  the  stage  for  Boston  on  business  of  importance. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  255 

6.  Monday.  Judge  dishing  and  J.  Sewall  come  to 
town,  also  J.  Dana,  and  have  lodgings  to  seek. 

7.  Tuesday.  The  Superior  Court  meet  in  the  new 
Court  House  ;  the  Chief  Justice  mentions  its  elegance 
and  convenience,  and  compliments  the  town  and  county 
upon  it,  accounting  it  the  most  elegant,  etc.,  in  the 
State  ;  he  expatiates  warmly  against  the  conduct  of  the 
insurgents  against  the  Judicial  Courts,  and  proceeds  and 
charges  the  Grand  Jury  to  indict  them  for  all  opposition 
in  Essex.     Parson  Fisher  reads  prayers. 

8.  Wednesday.  Mitchell  Sewall  and  John  went  from 
Marblehead  for  Boston.     Mr.  Mansfield  dines  here. 

9.  Thursday.  At  night  a  ball  was  made  at  Concert 
Hall  for  the  Courts  ;  the  Chief  Justice  danced  2  country 
dances  ;  Mrs.  Orne  was  at  the  ball.  Mess.  Hitchborn, 
Tudor,  and  Wetmore  dine  here,  and  S.  Sewall. 

10.  Friday.  A  fair  day.  I  am  detained  from  Court 
by  a  cold  caught  last  evening  in  going  to  the  ball  and 
returning  in  the  rain. 

11.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Brother  Mitchell 
and  John  return  from  Boston,  the  latter  in  good  spirits. 
At  evening  Judge  Sewall,  Mr.  Goodale,  and  brother 
Mitchell  spend  the  evening  here  ;  Mitchell  and  Kimball 
lodge  here. 

12.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  I  find  Judges 
Cushing  and  Sumner ;  they,  J.  Sewall,  and  Attorney- 
General  Paine  dine  with  me.  In  the  afternoon  J.  Sewall 
goes  to  church  with  me ;  the  others  go  to  other  meet- 
ings. At  evening  all  sup  at  Maj.  Sprague's  with  Sun- 
day night  Club.  W.  Pickering  tells  a  foolish  story  of 
Ad.  to  G.  Gage.  Brother  S.  and  Mitchell  lodge  with 
us. 

13.  Monday.  A  cool  day.  Stephen  and  Mitchell  go 
home  ;  Mr.  Wetmore  and  son  William  to  Boston,     p.  m.. 


256  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

I  have  a  duplicate  of  a  letter  from  Congress.  J.  Pynchon 
hath  encouraging  news  from  Boston  as  to  military  mat- 
ters. 

16.  Thursday.     The  Court  adjourns  without  day. 

17.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold.  Judge  Sargeant  called 
to  see  me,  and  not  being  at  home,  he  was  to  call  to-mor- 
row morning. 

18.  Saturday.  A  clear  and  very  cold,  disagreeable 
air.     J.  Sargeant  does  not  call  again. 

19.  Sunday.  A  very  cold  day.  News  that  J.  Wil- 
liams succeeds  in  his  plans  for  [the]  bridge  at  Deerfield, 
and  for  regulations  in  Hampshire  matters. 

21.  Tuesday.  Last  of  arresting  for  December  Court, 
and  I  had  but  2  writs  to  draw. 

22.  Wednesday.  Fresh  news  from  Shays  and  the  in- 
surgents of  a  design  against  Cambridge  Court. 

23.  Thursday.  Snow  and  cold.  Orders  to  Salem 
militia  from  [the]  Governor  to  be  ready  in  case  [of 
need]. 

24.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cold  a.  m.  Warmer  and 
clear  p.  m.  I  go  on  Stevens's  horse  to  Beverly,  and  see 
Edward  Dodge  as  to  execution  v.  Dale,  and  Mr.  Dane 
as  to  tour  to  New  York.  Stevens  returns  at  evening 
from  Boston. 

25.  Saturday.  Morning  very  cold.  News  from  Bos- 
ton that  Shays  and  co.  are  expected  to  be  at  Cambridge 
to  stop  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Mrs.  P.  spends 
the  evening  at  Vans'  ;  I  go  before  9,  and  am  unluckily 
irritated  at  Vans'  insolence  and  falsehood,  and  plainly 
tell  him  of  it,  and  hurt  the  feelings  of  the  company,  and, 
since,  my  own  feelings. 

26.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  but  cold.  I  go  with 
Mr.  Fisher  to  see  Capt.  Britton ;  very  ill. 

27.  Monday.     South  wind  ;  thaws,  and  wet  walking. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  257 

News  at  night  that  2  regiments  of  insurgents  were  on 
their  march  for  Cambridge  to  stop  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas,  and  [of]  another  body  coming  to  support  them. 
'T  is  said  Worcester  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  stopped 
last  week  by  insurgents. 

28.  Tuesday.  Exceeding  cold  and  windy.  No  news 
to-day  of  [the]  insurgents.  To-day  Wait  paid  a  part  of 
Boardman's  money  to  Mrs.  Cabot. 

29.  Wednesday,  p.  m.,  I  went  to  Beverly  and  visited 
A.  Cabot,  J.  Cabot,  G.  Cabot,  and  Mrs.  Higginson. 

30.  Thursday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  p.  m.  comes 
the  news  that  the  troop  of  about  80  horse,  under  Colo. 
Hitchborn,  go  from  Boston  to  Middlesex  and  take 
Shattuck  and  .  .  .  ,  and  bring  them,  on  charge  of  trai- 
torous conduct,  to  prison  to  Boston  ;  this,  't  is  supposed, 
must  soon  bring  our  publick  disturbances  to  a  crisis. 
Capt.  Britton  still  continues  ill  of  dysentery. 

December  1.  Friday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  News 
of  the  taking  Shattuck  by  the  troop  from  Boston,  etc., 
and  of  the  triumphant  return  of  the  troop  with  the 
prisoners  into  Boston.  Dr.  Holyoke,  lady,  and  daughter, 
Dr.  Plummer  and  lady,  et  al.,  and  J.  Grafton  at  tea  here. 

2.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  morning,  and  clear.  Mrs. 
Hinckley  and  Mrs.  Oliver  come  from  Marblehead  and 
dine.  At  evening  Mr.  Bartlett  comes  to  us  at  Mr. 
Goodale's,  John  being  at  Danvers  at  Mr.  Orne's. 

3.  Sunday.  A  pleasant  day.  General  Lincoln  and 
other  officers  advise  the  Governor  as  to  sending  out  the 
militia  to  protect  the  Justices  at  Worcester  Court  next 
Tuesday,  but  a  majority  of  the  Council  is  against  it.  J. 
Bartlett  comes  and  dines  here ;  p.  m.,  sets  out  for  Mr. 
Orne's  to  see  John,  and  thence  goes  to  Boston. 

4.  Monday.  Very  cold.  John  sets  out  in  the  stage 
for  Boston  to  wait  on  the  Governor  and  Gen'l  Jackson 

17 


258  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

for  Ensign's  Commission,  and  returns  at  evening  with 
it,  having  seen  Gen'l  Jackson  and  Mr.  Wetmore,  and  not 
the  Governor.  Brings  news  that  the  insurgents  at 
Worcester  County  have  shut  up  the  Justices  of  the 
Common  Pleas  in  their  houses,  to  prevent  the  sitting  of 
the  Court,  but  McGill  escaped,  and  got  into  Boston,  this 
morning  before  sunrise  ;  express  is  sent  to  General 
Lincoln  at  Hingham  to  go  directly  for  Boston,  and  thence 
for  Worcester.  It  snows  and  blows  in  the  evening  so 
that  neither  militia,  nor  Court,  nor  insurgents  can  well 
meet  or  proceed.  Mrs.  Pynchon,  with  Mr.  Gerrish's 
horse  and  Mr.  Cabot's  chaise,  goes  with  him  up  to  Mr. 
Orne's,  and  she  remains  there.  Dr.  Plummer1  joins  the 
Monday  Night  Club,  and  spends  the  evening  with  them 
at  my  house.  Shattuck  and  co.  remain  in  good  spirits 
at  Boston  jail.  Mr.  Wright  moved  into  Dr.  Putnam's 
house,  next  mine,  a  day  or  two  ago. 

5.  Tuesday.  Wind  at  E.,  and  a  most  violent  snow- 
storm, exceeding  any  remembered  so  early  in  the  year ; 
so  deep  and  drifted  is  the  snow  that  it  is  almost  imprac- 
ticable to  ride  in  the  roads.  Judge  Phillips  calls  in  the 
afternoon,  and,  with  J.  Pickering,  adjourns  the  Court  by 
proclamation.  Pickering  is  confined  at  his  house,  and 
J.  Holten  at  his  house,  and  both  unable  to  attend  Court. 

6.  Wednesday.  The  Justices  Pickering  and  Phillips, 
having  in  vain  waited  for  Just.  Greenleaf's  coming,  meet 
;p.  m.,  and  adjourn  Common  Pleas  and  Sessions  to  3d 
Tuesday  of  January,  1787. 

1  Dr.  Joshua  Plummer  was  born  in  Gloucester,  January  25,  1756,  and 
was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1773.  He  was  the  son  of  Samuel 
and  Elizabeth  (Gee)  Plummer,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Joshua  Gee,  of  Boston. 
He  removed  to  Salem  in  1785,  where  he  died  in  1791.  He  was  much  es- 
teemed by  scholars  and  professional  men,  and  had  a  high  repute  as  a  sur- 
geon. His  daughter,  Caroline,  was  the  founder  of  the  Plummer  Institute, 
established  a  professorship  to  Harvard  College,  and  made  many  other 
generous  gifts. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  259 

7.  Thursday.  I  walk  down  to  Beverly  ferry,  and  find 
the  way  blocked  up  by  snow  and  impassable  for  horses. 

8.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  south  wind,  and  warm.  Tar- 
bell  brings  news  from  Mrs.  Orne  of  her  being  very  ill  of 
slow  fever,  and  calls  on  Dr.  Holyoke,  and  he  goes  up 
and  returns  in  the  afternoon.  The  roads  almost  impass- 
able without  help  from  shovelling  and  the  help  of  several 
sleds  and  12  yoke  of  oxen.  Mess.  Otis  and  W.  Amory 
spend  the  evening  with  John,  Mr.  Graham  and  B.  Pick- 
man  also,  and  Graham  lodges  here.  More  news  in  the 
newspapers  from  Shays  and  co.,  insurgents,  but  their 
numbers  rather  decrease.  However,  Worcester  Com- 
mon Pleas  and  Sessions  are  put  by  again.  A  new 
snow-storm  ariseth,  wind  N.  E.,  and  lasts  all  night. 

9.  Saturday.  Storm  continues,  and  yet  considerable 
provisions  were  brought  to  market.  John  enlisteth  a 
soldier  from  Woburn,  and,  it  being  stormy,  keeps  him, 
and  dieteth  and  lodgeth  him. 

10.  Sunday  mom.  The  storm  continues  until  n 
o'clock  ;  the  sun  breaks  out,  but  the  wind  continueth  ; 
the  snow  drifts  in  front  of  my  house,  and  just  admits  of 
a  view  from  my  office  window  of  Pike's  garret  window 
and  of  Hathorne's  eastern  garret  window.  No  meeting 
to-day  for  public  worship,  the  drifts  of  snow  not  admit- 
ting it. 

11.  Monday.  Clear,  windy,  and  cold.  The  people 
go  out  on  all  sides  of  the  town  to  clear  the  ways  ;  some 
sleighs  pass,  but  with  very  great  difficulty,  through  the 
streets ;  none  from  the  country  ;  it  is  said  to  be  impass- 
able for  horses  beyond  the  Bell  tavern.  The  Club  meet 
at  Dr.  Plummer's  for  the  first  time.  John  hath  another 
soldier  enlisted. 

12.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  extreme  cold.  The  cold  in 
the  night  was  so  great  that  few  could  sleep.     In  the 


260  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

afternoon  S.  Gerrish  and  I  go  to  Mr.  Orne's  farm,  and 
find  Mrs.  O.  better  than  she  was  ;  Mr.  O.  and  Mrs. 
Pynchon  well  walled  in  with  snow.  I  go  on  Daland's 
horse  ;  we  find  the  road  very  good  from  Salem  to  Proc- 
ter's, very  deep  snow-banks  from  King's  to  Mr.  O.'s. 

13.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  more  moderate  air.  John 
goes  to  Danvers  for  men,  [and]  tarries  there  the  night. 
It  rains. 

15.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  clear  by  turns  ;  the  air  rather 
warm  and  the  travelling  wet.  John  enlists  H.  Handly, 
and  agrees  with  Scudder,  a  prisoner. 

16.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  Ensign  Pynchon  sets  off  on 
Stevens's  horse  for  Boston  with  his  4  recruits  —  stout, 
brave  soldiers  !  We  hear  from  Mrs.  Pynchon  and  Mrs. 
Orne  and  the  family  ;  all  growing  better ;  from  Shays 
and  co.  that  they  are  inclined  to  be  penitent  and  sue  for 
pardon  on  terms.  The  .  .  .  here  from  Saturday,  the 
9th  ;  the  next  from  Monday,  the  4th  ;  the  third  from 
yesterday,  the  15th;  the  fourth  from  this  morning,  the 
1 6th.  I  sent  the  newspaper  to  Mr.  Orne,  and  two  vol- 
umes of  the  "  Citizen  of  the  World  "  to  Mrs.  Pynchon. 
The  roads  are  to  be  cleared  from  Mr.  O.'s  to  King's  for 
carriages  to-day. 

17.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  foggy  ;  no  wind.  The  snow 
goes  off  apace,  p.  m.,  I  go  to  church,  and  find. many 
more  there  than  could  be  expected  in  so  wet  walking. 
Ensign-\Higginson  in  town  on  recruiting  business.  At 
tea  Ensign  Pynchon  returns  from  Boston,  having  arrived 
therewith  his  recruits  last  evening,  being  the  first  which 
had  been  returned  from  the  country  ;  all  passed  muster 
well. 

18.  Monday.  Cloudy;  toward  evening  cold.  J.  Hig- 
ginson  comes,  and  agrees  to  tarry  recruiting  at  Salem 
and  Beverly,  instead  of  going  on  to  Newbury,  as  was 
proposed. 


1786.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  261 

19.  Tuesday.  Cold  morning.  John  goes  to  Marble- 
head.  Nat.  Needham  [al.  Wilkes)  leaves  me  to  pay  the 
money  to  F.  Cabot,  who  advanced  it  for  his  family  when 
in  want  of  bread  to  eat  ;  no  wonder  Nat.  should  often  be 
talking  of  the  duties  of  religion  and  piety,  of  hearing 
heavenly  prayers  and  sermons.  John  enlists  another 
man,  Hood. 

20.  Wed?iesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  John  enlists  an- 
other, Banks. 

21.  Thursday.  A  very  clear,  moderate,  and  fine  morn- 
ing. This  day  appointed  for  hanging  Isaac  Coombs  for 
murder.  Ensigns  Pynchon  and  Higginson  beat  up  for 
recruits  in  Salem.  In  the  afternoon  the  artillery  com- 
pany, Tad.  Buffinton  the  leader,  escorted  Isaac  Coombs 
from  the  jail  to  the  gallows,  where  he  was  hung  in  a 
bungling  manner  by  Sheriff  Farley  in  person.  I  hear 
from  Mrs.  Orne  and  Mrs.  Pynchon  that  the  former 
is  growing  better.  The  roads  grow  better  by  slow  de- 
grees. 

22.  Fnday.  It  rains.  Jackson,  of  Danvers,  comes 
to  enlist  with  John.  Last  evening,  J.  Turner,  Esq/s,1 
funeral.     Bearers  :  — 

G.  Dodge,  Jona.  Ropes, 

Pynchon,  Jona.  Gardner, 

Dr.  Holyoke,  W.  Vans. 

News  from  Mr.  Orne's,  Danvers,  that  Mrs.  Pynchon  is 
well  and  desirous  of  coming  home.  In  the  morning 
Ensign  Pynchon  sets  off  for  Boston  with  3  recruits, 
Hood,  Banks,  and  .  .  .  ;  and  Mr.  Graam  sends  Jackson 
for  one  more,  with  advice  respecting  another. 

23.  Saturday.     Rain  and  snow.      p.  m.,  I  set  out  for 

1  John  Turner,  who  died  on  the  19th,  was  an  eminent  merchant  of 
Salem.  His  daughter,  Mary,  married  Daniel,  the  seventh  son  of  Colonel 
Epes  Sargent,  and  father  of  the  late  Lucius  Manlius  Sargent. 


262  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

Danvers,  and  bring  home  Mrs.  Pynchon.  Higginson 
enlists  more  recruits.  It  begins  to  snow  again  in  the 
evening.     John  returns  from  Boston. 

25.  Monday.  Very  cold.  Church  not  full ;  the  mu- 
sick  by  Young  on  the  organ  and  the  singing  good.  p.  m., 
Mr.  Britton's  funeral ;  he  was  carried  into  church,  and 
a  sermon  on  mortality  ;  no  character  attempted.  Mrs. 
Pynchon,  John,  and  I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's,  and  had  a 
most  excellent  and  tasty  dinner  done  by  Miss  Gerrish. 

26.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning,  clear  and  moderate. 
The  sledding  grows  better  hourly.  Much  poultry 
brought  into  market,  and  goes  at  3^/  and  under  per 
pound. 

27.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning,  air  mod- 
erate ;  plenty  of  marketing,  and  sledding  good  in  Salem. 
John  has  encouraging  accounts  from  Boston  via  Bart- 
lett. 

28.  Thursday.  A  fine  day,  good  sledding,  clear  air. 
Young  Mr.  Gill  here.  Mr.  Oliver  comes  here  in  the 
evening. 

29.  Friday.  A  cold,  clear  morning.  John  and  his  3 
recruits  set  out  for  Boston  in  good  season,  as  did  John 
Higginson.  Mr.  Lane  with  me  in  the  evening,  also  Mr. 
F.  and  L.  Oliver;  they  say  that  Fen  no  brings  accounts 
from  Boston  this  evening  that  Gen'l  Lincoln  is  collect- 
ing men,  militia,  etc.,  to  accompany  him  to  Worcester 
for  protecting  the  Court  to  sit  there,  and  to  disperse  the 
insurgents  next  week. 

30.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  The  sledding  continues  very 
good  ;  rain  expected  soon  to  spoil  it.  John  Pynchon 
and  J.  Higginson  return  from  Boston ;  each  mortified  at 
having  one  recruit  of  each  rejected.  News  that  Shays 
and  insurgents  continue  in  motion  ;  that  they  prevented 
Springfield  Courts  proceeding  in  November,  and  intend 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  263 

to  do  the  like  at  Worcester  next  week  ;  Gen'l  Lincoln, 
't  is  said,  is  to  go  thither  with  the  militia.  John  is  lame 
by  a  fall  at  Boston. 

1787.  January  1.  Monday.  Letters  from  Mr.  Cur- 
wen.  Club  at  Colo.  Pickman's  in  the  evening  with  J. 
Lane.     Warm,  and  thaw  continues. 

2.  Tuesday.  Plentiful  markets.  General  Shays  en- 
listing men  in  Connecticut. 

3.  Wednesday.  Wet  and  bad  travelling.  From  Hamp- 
shire, etc.,  they  apply  for  aid  from  Government. 

6.  Saturday.  Books  are  brought  from  Boston,  Guthrie 
and  Memoirs. 

7.  Sunday.  Subscription  is  sent  to  town  to  raise 
money  for  paying  militia. 

8.  Monday.  Fine  weather  and  good  sledding.  [The] 
militia  to  be  raised  is  for  supporting  Courts  of  Justice. 

9.  Tuesday.  Another  snow-storm  begins  this  morn- 
ing, being  Tuesday.  The  subscription,  it  is  said,  goes 
on  ;  H.  D.  ^100,  J.  A,  W.  G.,  B.  P.,  ^30  each.  A 
snow-storm  seems  to  be  coming  on,  and  keeps  up  the 
price  of  wood  at  14/  and  15/. 

10.  Wednesday.  Wind  N.  E.,  and  snow.  The  stage 
goes  to  Boston  and  returns  this  day. 

11.  Thursday.  Snow-storm  continues.  General  .  .  . 
comes  to  town  about  raising  men  to  march  under  Gen'l 
Lincoln  to  Worcester.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Wetmore  as  to 
Browne's  affair  ;  to  S.  Gridley  as  to  my  account ;  to  C. 
Cushing  for  executions. 

12.  Friday.  Mr.  Eb'r  Putnam,  son  of  Judge  Putnam, 
comes  on  Gov.  Browne's  business.  John  goes  to  Boston 
in  the  stage  on  recruiting  business.  A  clear,  cold  day  ; 
the  sledding  grows  good  again. 

13.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Great  number  of 
loads  of  wood  come  to  market  to-day  ;  oak  at  14/  to  16/ , 


264  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

some  at  12/.  John  returns  from  Boston  with  news  that 
Shays,  with  great  number  of  men,  is  to  appear  at 
Worcester  to  prevent  the  sitting  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  and  that  he,  John,  hath  encouragement  to  go 
with  the  militia ;  he  hears  of  his  recruit,  Clark,  the 
deserter,  who  enlisted  again  at  Boston,  and  left  the 
officer  there  also,  so  that  John  is  to  be  allowed  his  en- 
listing money. 

16.  Tuesday.  Ipswich  Court,  which  was  adjourned 
to  this  day,  is,  by  order  of  the  General  Court,  adjourned 
to  April  1. 

17.  Wednesday.  John  receives  a  line  from  Capt. 
Ramsdell. 

18.  Thursday.  A  fine,  fair  day,  and  appointed  for 
the  march  of  Capt.  Ramsdell's  company  to  Woburn,  to 
be  led  by  Ensign  Pynchon.  News  comes  that  General 
Shays  and  company  are  gone  off  to  Vermont,  and  in  the 
afternoon  Ensign  Pynchon  and  Moses  and  co.  march  at 
half  after  one  o'clock  toward  Reading  ;  dine  at  the  sign 
of  the  Bell  in  Danvers,  and  after  dinner  a  large  company 
of  gentlemen  and  others  from  Salem  and  Danvers  give 
the  company  three  cheers,  and  off  they  set  in  high 
spirits.  Mess.  Goodale,  S.  Gerrish,  and  myself  take  tea 
at  Mr.  Holt's,  and  return  in  a  sudden  squall  of  snow 
which  overtook  us.     The  night  is  excessive  cold. 

19.  Friday.  Clear  and  exceeding  cold  still.  We  hear 
that  Ramsdell's  company  was  met  by  [a]  Lynn  field  man 
upon  a  trot  towards  Reading  ;  saw  Lieut.  Moses  and 
company  at  Woburn  before  night,  appearing  well  and  in 
good  order. 

20.  Saturday.  The  air  grows  moderate,  and  snow- 
storm comes  on.  We  hear  again  of  Ramsdell's  company, 
that  he  could  not  raise  the  Lynn  company,  and  that 
Capt.  Breed,  a  continental  officer,  was  appointed  captain 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  265 

in  Ramsdell's  stead.  In  the  afternoon  a  company  from 
Gloucester  passed  through  the  town  with  fife  and  drum. 
Mr.  Goodale  and  I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's  upon  an  invita- 
tion to  the  family  of  each. 

21.  Sunday.  Snows,  and  then  fine  rain  ;  wind  N.  E., 
and  then  it  turns  to  snow  again.  Mrs.  P.  dines  and 
spends  the  day  at  W.  Cabot's.  Small  flights  of  snow 
and  fine  rain  all  day  and  in  the  evening. 

23.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  We  hear  from  Wo- 
burn  that  John  and  co.  got  to  Colo.  Baldwin's  by  [the] 
middle  of  the  afternoon,  and  lodged  there. 

25.  Thursday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr. 
Vans  brings  news  that  the  troops  are  at  Worcester,  and 
no  appearance  of  an  insurgent  ;  and  the  Court  goes  on 
as  usual.  One  innholder  is  taken  up  and  sent  to  jail 
for  discouraging  the  militia  from  enlisting  to  support  the 
Courts  and  Commonwealth.  Dr.  Waldo,  from  Worces- 
ter, called  to  see  us,  and  mentioned  his  having  yesterday 
seen  F.  Cabot,  John  Pynchon,  and  others  from  Salem, 
and  that  the  army  of  2000  and  upwards  were  in  high 
spirits  ;  that  Shays  and  the  insurgents  were  in  3  divi- 
sions ;  a  corps  of  800  under  Day,  at  Palmer  Bridge,  to 
cut  off  the  communication  between  Shepard  and  Lincoln. 
A  draft  of  500  are  ordered  from  Lincoln's  troops  to 
the  relief  of  Shepard,  who  was  stationed  at  Springfield 
with  800.  Colo.  Drury  was  taken  and  carried  from 
Worcester  to  Boston  jail. 

26.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  thaws.  News  comes  that 
Shays  is  on  his  march  for  Springfield  to  attack  Gen'l 
Shepard,  having  superior  numbers  to  Shepard. 

27.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  By  the  Centinel  we  have 
accounts  of  the  number  and  situation  of  Lincoln's  army 
at  Brookfield,  and  of  Shays's  army  at  Springfield,  and  of 
Gen'l  Shepard's  firing  on  Shays's  men  and  killing  three 
men  and  wounding  one  badly. 


266  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

28.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cold  day,  and  clear.  Brother 
Stephen  came  in  the  afternoon.  Mrs.  Goodale  came 
and  dined  with  us,  and  tarried  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing. No  express  from  Gen'l  Lincoln's  army  ;  all  sup- 
pose it  must  have  been  intercepted  by  Shays's  party  ; 
no  news  from  the  army  is  now  deemed  a  good  event,  as 
it  must  have  reached  Boston,  had  there  been  a  battle,  or 
had  there  been  any  very  bad  news ;  Shepard's  cannon 
and  Lincoln's  must  have  been  heard  at  Brookfield  or 
Worcester,  and  none  were  heard  after  his  firing  the 
first.  J.  Bartlett  and  co.  are  allowed  to  march  from 
Boston  to  join  Gen'l  Lincoln. 

29.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  morning.  No 
further  news  ;  no  expresses  till  Jona.  Jackson's  arrival 
at  Boston,  p.  m.,  this  day  ;  his  account  is  that  Shays  and 
co.  were  dispersed  and  gone  over  Chicopee  River,  500 
only  keeping  company  with  Shays  ;  that  Gen'l  Lincoln 
and  Shepard  were  pursuing  them  ;  that  Shepard  had  dis- 
persed Day's  party  of  3  or  400,  and  had  taken  about  40 
prisoners  ;  that  Shays  had  shot  and  killed  his  adjutant- 
general  and  2  others. 

30.  Tuesday.  B.  Daland  returned  from  Springfield 
with  a  letter  from  John. 

31.  Wednesday.  Fine  weather,  some  snow,  good 
sledding.  Many  rumours  as  to  Shays's  and  Lincoln's 
armies. 

February  1.  Thursday.  Some  snow  and  cold  air. 
Beverly  Commissary  came  home,  as  it  is  said. 

2.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Pool  brings  a  letter  from 
John,  dated  the  28th,  and  a  little  after  that  by  Daland, 
but  mentioning  the  pursuit  after  Day  and  insurgents. 
By  the  papers  we  find  terms  offered  by  Gen'l  Lincoln  to 
Capt.  Shays,  and  Shays  answers  them. 

3.  Saturday.     Cloudy  and  cold.     Vast  quantities  of 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  267 

wood  are  brought  in  from  the  country.  No  account 
from  the  army,  whether  it  is  at  Hadley  or  at  Pelham, 
near  Shays's  and  Wheeler.  Gen'l  Lincoln's  proposals 
were  answered  well  by  Shays  on  the  30  January  from 
Pelham. 

4.  Sunday.  Clear,  and  excessive  cold  ;  wind  N.  W., 
and  very  high.  Yesterday,  Mr.  Orne,  Mrs.  Pynchon,  and 
I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's  on  venison. 

5.  Monday.  Exceeding  cold,  and  some  clouds.  By 
Mr.  Wright,  from  Boston,  at  one  o'clock,  we  hear  the 
vote  of  Legislative  Assembly  is  that  there  is  a  rebellion 
in  the  western  counties  in  the  State,  and  that  pardon 
be  offered  to  the  privates  and  non-commissioned  officers 
under  Shays  and  co.  on  terms  of  submission  to  Govern- 
ment and  taking  the  oaths  of  [allegiance]  ;  we  also  hear 
that  two  more  regiments  are  to  march  in  aid  of  Gen'l 
Lincoln  against  the  rebels  at  Pelham.  At  evening  Mr. 
Goodale  shows  me  a  letter  from  Fra.  Cabot  at  Hadley, 
shewing  the  great  danger  of  loss  from  an  attack  upon 
Shays,  encamped  with  about  2000  men  upon  Pelham 
Hill. 

6.  Tuesday.  Clear,  cold  day.  Major  F.  Cabot  re- 
turns from  Gen'l  Lincoln's  army  with  an  account  of 
Shays's  army  being  dispersed,  and  retiring  to  Petersham 
from  Pelham  on  last  Friday  evening,  and  of  Gen'l  Lin- 
coln's following  him  in  a  severe  snow-storm,  in  which  his 
army  marched  30  miles  between  8  o'clock  on  Friday 
evening  and  9  on  Sunday  morning  without  any  refresh- 
ment, the  severity  of  the  storm  not  admitting  of  their 
stopping  ;  there  were  taken  150  prisoners. 

7.  Wednesday.  Clear,  fine  day.  News  of  Shays  and 
co.  being  reduced  to  100  men,  and  of  their  wandering 
toward  New  Hampshire,  where  it  is  supposed  some,  if 
not  all,  of  them  will  be  arrested. 


268  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM   PYNCHON,    [February, 

8.  Thursday.  Cloudy;  snow  in  [the]  afternoon  and 
all  the  evening.  \V.  Cabot  here  [in]  the  evening,  B. 
Daland  set  out  a.  m.  Eor  camp. 

9.  Friday*  Fine,  clear  morning,  and  a  moderate  air. 
By  a  line  from  Mr.  Wins,  at  Boston,  we  find  he  saw 
Major  Harkin  there,  ami  that  he  left  John  Pynchon  well 
at  camp  2  days  alter  Major  Cabot's  departure  from 
thence,  viz.,  o\\  the  5th  instant.  Mr.  Smith  here  \.  M. 
and  in  the  evening,  and  several  of  the  soldiers'  wives,  to 
inquire  the  news. 

10.  Saturday,  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  morning.  Some 
oi  the  Salem  militia  return  ami  tell  that  Ensign  Pynchon 

is  lame  with  the  last  severe  march,  and  set  off  on  Wednes- 
day last  from  Petersham  for  lladley  in  a  sleigh ;  that 
others    are  dismissed    for   want    oi  shoes,  etc.  ;  that    the 

allowance  was  so  scanty  they  were  forced  to  beg,  and 

some  pilfer,  on  the  road  ;  that  the  whole  company  will 
return  next  week  ;  that  the  Ensign  treated  the  company 
with  grog,  for  their  assistance  in  taking  the  company  of 
insurgents  prisoners,  and  for  their  spirited  conduct  to- 
ward the  insurgents,  who  charged  them  with  pilfering  at 
Concord,  by  which  treatment  the  Ensign  became  con- 
siderably popular  among  them  ;  that  there  had  been  a 
good  understanding  among  the  officers,  and  between 
them  and  their  company,  during  the  tour, 

it.  Sunday,  Cloudy  and  severe  cold.  Bott  married 
to  Miss  Hawthorn  this  morning  at  church.  Mr.  Tem- 
pleman  gives  [an]  account  oi  Dr.  Chauncy's  death. 

1  _\  Monday,  Clear  and  moderate.  G.  Cabot  here, 
having  spoken  with  Major  Haskell  at  Boston,  |and] 
gives  account  oi  |the|  Salem  company  and  oi  the  [2  who 
took  a  captain  and  company  oi  40  men  prisoners. 

[3,     Tuesday.      Clear  and  moderate   weather.      Towns- 

end  and  Sibley,  two  oi  Ramsdell's  company,  call  to  ac- 


1787.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  269 

quaint  us  of  their  leaving  camp  last  Wednesday  at 
Petersham  ;  that  Ensign  Pynchon  was  lame,  and  went 
in  the  waggon  to  Hadley,  in  the  rout  to  Berkshire,  to 
support  Gen'l  Patterson,  Mr,  J,  Smith  here  at  break- 
fast. B.  Pickman,  from  Boston,  says  that  the  rumour  at 
Boston  is  that  Gen'l  Patterson  had  made  .  .  .  composi 
tion  with  Wiley  and  the  insurgents  at  Berkshire,  each 
army  to  disperse,  and  Patterson  to  endeavour  to  obtain 
a  pardon  for  Wiley  and  co.  ;  that  Ensign  Pynchon  was 
not  frozen  in  the  feet,  as  had  been  reported,  but  was 
well  at  Petersham  last  Tuesday,  save  only  a  swelling  in 
his  ankles  ;  that  the  General  Court  were  unanimous  in 
their  proceedings  against  the  insurgents. 

14.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  morning. 
Great  quantities  of  wood  in  the  market.  P,  M.,  snow, 
then  rain,  and  in  the  evening  it  rains  very  hard.  A 
letter  from  Ensign  Pynchon  of  the  9th  instant,  giving 
account  of  Gen'l  Patterson's  composition  with  the  insur- 
gents at  Lenox,  and  that  Gen'l  Lincoln  was  in  full 
march  from  North  Hampton  for  Lenox. 

15.  Thursday.  Clear  and  warm.  The  snow  decreaseth 
apace.  Capt.  Peabody  here  ;  he  went  as  a  soldier  from 
Middleton  to  West  Springfield  against  Shays  and  Day. 

16.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold.  At  evening  I  receive  a 
letter  from  John  Pynchon  at  Pittsfield,  who  is  in  high 
health  and  in  good  spirits,  but  wholly  uncertain  when 
the  army  may  return,  they  being  now  busy  in  taking 
up  insurgents  and  in  dispersing  their  companies  and 
corps  which  are  found  wandering  about. 

17.  Saturday.  Cloudy  morning.  No  news  of  B.  Da- 
land,  save  rumours  that  he  is  taken  by  the  insurgents  ; 
no  mention  of  him  in  John  Pynchon's  letter  of  the  I2th 
(Monday)  ;  at  10  o'clock  this  evening  we  hear  that  he  is 
in  Boston,  on  his  return  homeward.   I  go  to  Boston,  and 


270  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

return  at  evening.  Dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  with  Major 
Ervins,  Mrs.  Weld's  son  Samuel,  and  young  Mr.Ervins, 
J.  Williams,  and  Elbridge  Gerry,  Esqr.  Gen'l  Patter- 
son's character  is  cleared  in  the  Centinel  from  the  lies 
raised  and  propagated  against  him.  I  spoke  with  W. 
Deblois  as  to  his  letter,  and  he  agrees  to  wait  for  my 
convenience. 

1 8.  Sunday .  Clear  and  moderate.  At  noon  B.  Da- 
land  returns  from  the  army  with  a  letter  from  John 
Pynchon,  and  account  of  his  being  well,  etc. 

19.  Monday.  Clear,  moderate  weather;  the  snow  goes 
off  apace.  Mr.  Goodale  and  I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's  on 
venison.  Mr.  Lowell  came  in  at  half  past  two,  and  set 
out  for  Boston  with  his  daughter.  Neighbour  V.  is 
ready  to  give  up  his  confidence  in  the  public  measures  ; 
thinks  that  Congress  can  hardly  be  held  together,  and 
that  our  public  affairs  will  be  desperate  unless  the  Con- 
tinental Convention  enlargeth  the  powers  of  Congress, 
[and]  amend  the  Confederation  System,  etc.,  etc.,  which 
are  hardly  to  be  expected.  Dr.  H.  at  Club  gives  his 
political  sentiments  more  fully  than  ever  before. 

20.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  rain,  which  carries  off  the 
snow  rapidly.  Mr.  Oliver,  of  Marblehead,  took  43  of 
Mr.  McGilchrist's  old  sermons  to  read,  and  to  return 
them. 

21.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold.  News  that  an  in- 
surgent at  the  westward  shot  a  light  horseman,  but  was 
taken  with  his  party  by  the  rest.  See  the  Nourse's 
paper. 

22.  Thursday.  Clear  and  very  cold.  I  forward  letters 
to  John  Pynchon  to  care  of  Mr.  Bartlett,  Boston,  by 
Burrell. 

23.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold.  My  letters  to  John 
Pynchon  went  from  Boston  this  morning  by  an  express. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  271 

24.  Saturday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Nat.  Holt  comes, 
having  enlisted  with  John  Pynchon  for  the  Continental 
army.  The  snow  goes  off  rapidly.  More  news  from  the 
army  ! 

25.  Sunday.  Clear  and  moderate  ;  the  snow  goes  off 
fast.  By  Mr.  Higginson,  from  Boston,  we  hear  that 
John  Pynchon  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the  insurgents 
in  New  York  State,  but  soon  was  dismissed  on  shewing 
that  he  was  a  Continental  officer  ;  Wheeler,  being  taken 
in  that  State  by  R.  Tyler  and  co.,  was  rescued. 

26.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Mr.  Oliver  comes 
with  Mr.  Clarke,  a  young  divine,  and  lodgeth  with  us  ; 
spends  the  evening  here  with  Mr.  O.  and  Mr.  Fisher. 

27.  Tuesday.  Snow-storm  ;  wind  N.  E.  Mr.  Clarke 
sets  out  in  stage  for  Boston.  Mr.  O.  continues  in  town, 
and  dines  with  us. 

March  1.  Thursday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Primus  sets 
out  with  F.  Goodale  in  R.  Daland's  carriage  sleigh,  with 
2  horses,  to  bring  home  Moses  and  the  Lieut.  John 
Pynchon  ;  he  meets  them  at  Newhall's,  and  brings  them 
home  a.  m.  ;  Mr.  Goodale  et  al.  with  me. 

3.  Saturday.  Another  N.  E.  storm  and  snow.  No 
man  living  among  us  remembers  so  many  and  so  severe 
snow-storms  in  any  year  as  in  this. 

5.  Monday.  Snow  continues  by  turns  ;  the  weather 
moderate  ;  at  evening  the  wind  comes  in.  News  that  a 
skirmish  happened  between  Gen'l  Lincoln's  scouting 
party  and  a  party  of  insurgents,  in  which  the  leader  of 
the  latter  (supposed  Maj.  Downing)  was  killed,  and 
several  of  Lincoln's  [men]  killed  and  wounded.  Ensign 
Pynchon  treats  his  men,  who  behaved  well  in  the  tour 
westward. 

6.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  News  from  the 
westward  of  several  skirmishes  between  the  inhabitants 


272  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.        [March, 

and  the  insurgents  ;  of  .  .  .  killed  on  the  part  of  the  in- 
habitants and  62  prisoners  ;  .  .  .  killed  on  the  part  of 
the  insurgents  and  62  taken  prisoners  ;  but  that  the  in- 
habitants were  aided  by  some  of  Gen'l  Patterson's  troops ; 
that  Shays  and  co.  were  arrived  at  .  .  .  and  much  dis- 
countenanced by  the  Canadians.     Some  snow  to-day. 

7.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  morning.  Never 
forget  F.  Cabot's  humanity  and  kindness  on  a  certain 
occasion,  nor  Maj.  Sprague. 

9.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  but  some  rain  and 
snow  in  the  afternoon  and  evening.  No  strangers  at 
the  ball  ;  twice  the  number  of  ladies  to  the  gentlemen. 

10.  Saturday.  A  clear,  fine  morning  ;  the  snow  goes 
off  apace.  Political  squibs,  serpents,  and  crackers  in 
the  papers  announce  the  approach  of  electioneering 
business. 

11.  Sunday.  A  clear  and  fine  day  ;  the  thaw  carries 
off  the  snow  apace.  News  from  Gen'l  Shepard,  at  Spring- 
field, that  Capt.  Shays  is  taken  in  Canada  by  order  of 
Government  there.  I  receive  a  comfortable  letter  from 
Coz.  J.  Williams  respecting  family  concerns. 

12.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  John  goes  to  Boston 
with  his  men,  Carrel  and  co.,  for  Continental  army  ;  he 
gets  there  by  12,  they  about  2  o'clock. 

13.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  rain  ;  the  snow  goes  off 
apace.  John  returns  at  evening  with  Newhall ;  the 
riding  excessive  bad.  Judge  Dana  taken  with  a  paralytic 
disorder,  and  dangerously  ill. 

16.  Friday.  Mr.  Graham  dines  here.  Mr.  Bartlett 
comes  and  takes  lodgings  with  John.     A  fine  day. 

17.  Saturday.  John  and  J.  Higginson  go  and  spend 
the  day  at  Mr.  Orne's.  Tea  at  Mr.  Cabot's.  Mr.  Bart- 
lett dines  with  us.  A  fine,  clear  day.  The  night-watch 
ceaseth  ;  thieving  and  house-breaking  commenceth. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  273 

18.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Bartlett  sets  out  for  Bos- 
ton a.  m.     I  at  church  p.  m. 

19.  Monday.  A  fine,  warm  day.  Political  confusions 
prevail  more  and  more,  by  accounts  in  the  papers. 

20.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  pleasant  morning.  Mrs.  P. 
and  I  [spend]  the  evening  at  Dr.  Holyoke's. 

21.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cool.  Convention  men 
and  friends  of  the  insurgents  are  using  all  their  arts  and 
endeavours  to  turn  out  of  administration  the  present 
rulers.     N.  Holt  comes. 

22.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  Jack  and  co.  set  out  for 
Boston,  being  Fast  Day.  Mr.  Osgood  and  I  go  to  Mr. 
Orne's  ;  the  going  very  good  ;  the  snow  almost  gone. 

23.  Friday.  Rain  and  clouds  ;  the  snow  is  now  all 
gone.  News  from  Boston  that  Rhode  Island  State,  by 
vote  of  their  Lower  House,  had  offered  protection  to  the 
insurgents. 

24.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mrs.  Waters  comes 
to  my  office  to-day  to  scold  about  the  suits  against  her, 
but  makes  default  at  Justice  Pulling's.  I  go  to  settle 
with  A.  Cabot  at  Beverly. 

25.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  John  and  B.  Pickman 
set  out  for  Beverly  on  a  visit  to  Prescott.  The  Centinel 
and  Friday  papers  are  full  of  wrangling  and  reflecting 
pieces  as  to  election  of  Governor,  Senate,  etc.,  etc.  Bad 
news  from  Rhode  Island  as  to  Congress  and  as  to  insur- 
gents ;  that  Government  inclines  to  encourage  the  lat- 
ter, and  get  rid  of  the  former.  At  evening  at  Mr. 
Goodale's  and  at  Mr.  Cabot's. 

27.  Tuesday.  A  clear  and  cool  day.  John  goes  with 
Capt.  Porter  for  Boston. 

28.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  morning. 
Capt.  Buffinton  exercises  his  company  at  Pierce's  house. 

29.  Thursday.     Cloudy  ;  N.  E.  wind  and  cold.     I  set 

18 


274  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

out  for  Newbury  on  the  reference  between  Wingate  and 
Mulliken,  on  a  dispute  about  an  apprentice.  Wingate's 
statement  of  his  case,  with  explanations,  notes,  and  obser- 
vations, takes  up  116  pages,  folio,  foolscap  paper,  closely 
written,  which  he  insists  upon  reading  and  remarking 
on  as  he  reads  ;  all  interruptions  or  objections  were  in 
vain,  so  we  let  him  go  on,  the  referees  taking  liberty  to 
sleep  as  they  had  occasion. 

31.  Saturday.  At  half  past  one  Wingate  ended,  de- 
claring he  had  a  great  deal  to  say,  but,  for  want  of  time 
and  through  impatience  of  the  gentlemen,  he  should  then 
say  no  more.  At  half  past  seven  in  the  evening  I  ar- 
rived at  Salem,  to  hear  political  preachments  and  to  read 
electioneering  sermons  in  the  newspapers.  This  day  I 
have  letters  from  Mrs.  Browne,  of  Virginia,  and  from  Mr. 
Curwen,  in  London.  I  return  by  the  way  of  the  ferry, 
because  of  the  very  deep  snow-drifts  ;  on  the  road  around 
in  Beverly  and  in  Danvers  it  is  difficult  to  pass  with 
carriages  ;  the  ruts  are  so  very  deep  that  a  person  scarce 
can  keep  in  the  carriage  in  passing  through  the  snow- 
banks. 

April  1.  Stmday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  cool  morning. 
The  first  day  of  a  week  full,  very  full,  of  importance. 

3.  Tuesday.  The  Court  meet  at  Ipswich.  The  Bar 
meet  at  Perkins's,  and  agree  on  the  admission  of  Mess. 
Andrews,  Prescott,  and  Pynchon  to  the  bar,  and  [that 
they]  be  recommended  to  the  Court.  I  go  in  Stevens's 
chaise  with  him. 

4.  Wednesday.  Very  warm  day.  Andrews  and  Pres- 
cott admitted,  but  not  sworn. 

5.  Thursday.  Clear  and  pleasant.  Mr.  Greenleaf  ill, 
and  orders,  with  the  consent  of  the  Court,  that  the  jury 
be  dismissed,  and  no  trials  ;  Andrews,  Prescott,  and 
Pynchon  all  sworn. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  275 

6.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool.  J.  Greenleaf  and  others 
go  off  for  Newbury,     p.  m.,  the  Court  breaks  up. 

7.  Saturday.  A  very  fine  day,  clear  and  moderate. 
Salem  and  Marblehead  parties  set  out  from  Ipswich  ; 
the  clerk  with  Mr.  Stevens,  and  I  with  Mr.  Mansfield. 
I  find  Mr.  Lowell  at  Salem,  and  dine  at  Mr.  Cabot's 
with  him  and  Mr.  Goodale.  Mrs.  Pynchon  spends  the 
day  at  Marblehead.  See  election  witticisms  in  the  Cen- 
tinel. 

8.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning  ;  a  plentiful  rain 
in  the  night,  with  thunder.  Mr.  Spalding  leaped  out  at 
chamber  window  in  his  sleep,  dreaming,  as  it  was  said, 
that,  being  an  angel  of  light,  he  could  fly;  but  he  fell 
down  by  a  stone  wall,  like  a  fallen  angel,  and  was  wet  to 
his  skin. 

9.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  blowing  weather;  some  gusts 
of  rain  and  hail,  the  latter  so  large  as  to  break  many 
glass  windows,  mine  among  others  ;  S.  Gerrish  had  6 
squares  broken. 

14.  Satiirday.  Miss  Wetmore  and  Waldo  come  and 
dine  with  us.     I  go  with  W.  Cabot  to  Mr.  One's  farm. 

15.  Sunday.    A  fine  day.     Mr.  Oliver  at  church  here. 

17.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  moderate  morning. 
News  of  the  insurgents  collecting  in  Berkshire  to  the 
number  of  300,  and,  it  is  supposed,  for  rescuing  the  con- 
victs in  prison  for  treason,  etc.  ;  query  the  event  of 
present  measures.  See  the  papers  respecting  Rhode 
Island  confusions  and  those  at  South  Carolina. 

18.  Wednesday.  Clear,  cool  day.  John  with  Miss 
Waldo,  and  B.  Pickman  with  Miss  Wetmore,  go  to 
Danvers  to  tea  at  Mrs.  Orne's.  I  have  letters  from 
Judge  Oliver,  S.  Curwen,  Esq.,  [and]  N.  Sparhawk, 
Esq.,  London. 

19.  Thursday.     News  that  the  Federal  troops  are  dis-  ' 


276  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

if  charged  ;  that  this  is  one  of  the  last  struggles  of  Con- 
gress.    All  grow  uneasy,  disaffected. 

20.  Friday.  Lieut  Porter  here  ;  he  and  John  set 
out  for  Boston  at  3.  Boston  appears  to  be  on  fire  in  the 
evening. 

21.  Saturday.  Morning,  fair  winds  and  clear.  News 
from  Boston  that  60  houses  were  burnt  last  evening. 
Mr.  Lovejoy  here.  John  Pynchon  returns  with  news  of 
the  fire  at  Boston  ;  60  dwelling-houses  and  stores,  shops, 
etc.,  and  Byles's  meeting-house.  Mr.  Amory  comes  at 
tea. 

22.  Sunday.  Snow  in  the  morning.  At  church  all 
day.  John  unwell.  Carrell  comes  from  the  Castle  with 
letters  for  John. 

23.  Monday.  Cloudy.  John  Pynchon  goes  to  Boston 
about  business  of  recruits,  etc. 

24.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear,  moderate  day.  John  re- 
turns from  Boston  ;  brings  no  good  news. 

27.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  Judge  and  Mrs. 
Greenleaf  go  out  of  town.  Mr.  Wingate  here,  and  goes 
home.  Misses  Waldo  and  Wetmore  go  from  Salem  for 
Boston. 

28.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cool.  Harvey 2  sat  this  week 
on  the  gallows,  and  was  expelled  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 

29.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  some  rain.  John  proposes 
to  open  an  office  in  Salem. 

May  1.  Tuesday.  Cloudy ;  thunder  and  rain.  By 
help  of  the  storm  and  S.  G.'s  oratory,  I  buy  good  pig 
pork  at  ^d. 

2.   Wednesday.      Cloudy    morning ;   cool  day.      Jack 

1  Moses  Harvey  was  punished  for  exciting  and  stirring  up  sedition  and 
insurrection  in  the  Commonwealth,  in  connection  with  the  rebellion  under 
Shays.     See  Hampshire  Gazette,  April  25,  1787. 


1737.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  277 

lays  the  turf  in  the  back  yard.     Mrs.  P.  and  I  at  W. 
Cabot's  at  tea. 

3.  Thursday,  A  fine,  fair  morning.  John  goes  to 
Boston  with  R.  Derby.  Mr.  Lane  here.  Mr.  L.  goes 
to  Portsmouth. 

4.  Friday.  Clear,  fine  day.  I  go  to  Marblehead  with 
J.  Grafton  in  his  chaise,  and  return  at  noon  ;  visit  there 
at  Justice  Mansfield's. 

5.  Saturday.  John  Pynchon  agrees  for  an  office  at 
Mr.  Ropes'. 

6.  Sunday,     At  church  all  day  with  Mrs.  Pynchon. 

7.  Monday.  Vestry  meeting  ;  vote  a  composition  as 
to  taxes  of  Britton's  pew.  I  set  out  for  Andover,  and 
lodge  there  at  Mr.  Lovejoy's. 

8.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Lovejoy  and  I  set  out  in  his  chaise 
for  Haverhill,  on  reference  between  Wingate  and  Mulli- 
ken  ;  lodge  and  dine  at  B.  Bartlett's  ;  go  in  the  evening 
to  visit  Judge  Sargeant. 

9.  Wednesday.  Set  out  from  Haverhill  for  Andover  ; 
dine  at  Mr.  Lovejoy's,  and  at  3  p.  m.  set  out  for  Salem, 
and  arrive  at  about  7  o'clock.  In  this  journey  I  lost  my 
bundle  of  linen  out  of  my  surtout 

10.  Thursday.  Town  meeting  for  new  representa- 
tives :  R.  Ward,  R.  Manning,  Eb.  Bickford,  Ed.  Pulling. 
It  rains. 

11.  Friday.  Rained  last  night  and  most  of  this  day. 
W.  Cabot  and  I  go  to  visit  John's  office. 

12.  Saturday.  Rain  continues  ;  when  over,  Mr.  Vans 
is  expected  from  Boston  ;  what  can  reconcile  him,  since 
a  lawyer  is  chosen  representative  and  he  left  out,  not- 
withstanding his  exertions  against  the  order,  his  declama- 
tory speeches,  etc.  ? 

13.  Sunday.  Rains,  and  all  tarry  at  home  A.  m.  save 
John.     p.  m.,  it  rains,  and  I  go  to  church. 


278  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

14.  Monday.  Cold,  N.  E.  wind.  Mr.  Pulling  puts  an 
odd  query  to  me,  with  many  half  excuses  respecting 
Pickman  and  his  office.  Mr.  Pearce  calls  me  home  from 
[the]  Club. 

1 5.  Tuesday.  Some  rain  ;  cold,  N.  E.  wind.  Mr. 
Vans  from  Boston.  News  that  the  insurgents  intend  to 
rescue  the  convicts  westward. 

17.  Thursday.  Cold;  wind  N.  E.  Ascension  Day. 
A  sermon  at  Mr.  O.'s  church,  Marblehead,  and  musick. 

19.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  and  pleasant  day.  Mr. 
Hooper  here  an  hour,  and  almost  suffocates  me. 

21.  Monday.  A  fine  morning.  Colo.  Pickman  and 
lady  go  to  Boston,  and  the  Club  here.  Mr.  Jackson 
here  in  the  evening. 

22.  Tuesday.  Some  rain.  News  of  Shattuck's  trial, 
and  conviction  of  treason. 

23.  Wednesday.  A  fine  day.  Judge  Sewall  calls,  and 
lodgeth  with  us.  Artillery  company  train,  and  make  a 
fine  show. 

24.  TJmrsday.  [In  the]  morning  Judge  Sewall  sets 
out  for  Portsmouth  and  York. 

26.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  Went  in  the  afternoon 
to  Mrs.  Lynde's,  who  was  gracious.  I  take  tea  at  Mr. 
Goodale's  ;  [he  and  she  gone]  with  Miss  Higginson. 

28.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  I  adjusted  account  with 
clerk  Osgood.  Young  Mr.  Lane  calls  on  me  with  notice 
that  his  father  will  be  here  to-morrow. 

29.  Ttcesday.  A  clear,  fine  morning.  Mr.  Lowell  and 
Mr.  Lane  meet  in  Salem  on  affairs  of  Mr.  Oliver. 

30.  Wednesday.  Election  Day.  T.  F.  Oliver  calls, 
and  dines  with  us  and  his  son.  Mr.  Lowell  dines  at  W. 
Cabot's.     It  rains  all  day. 

31.  Thursday.  Cloudy;  it  rained  most  of  the  last 
night  ;  wind  S.  E.  Mess.  Lane  and  Lowell  set  out  in 
the  afternoon  for  Boston.     Mr.  Oliver  goes  home. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  279 

June  1.  Friday.  Some  rain  and  clouds,  and  in  the 
afternoon  sunshine.  I  go  up  to  Dr.  A.  Putnam's  about 
his  deposition  as  to  A.  Waters.  John  Pynchon  returns 
from  Boston  with  R.  Derby  in  Daland's  carriage. 

2.  Saturday.  John  and  Capt.  Abbot  go  to  Danvers 
and  tarry  all  day,  suppose  at  Capt.  Porter's. 

4.  Monday.  John  goes  to  Middleton  with  Mr.  Ropes. 
Dr.  Boyce  here,  and  takes  a  memorandum  as  to  Bal- 
lard's fees  on  writ  as  to  Mr.  Turner's  title  to  the  100- 
acre  lot,  and  takes  a  note  for  him  and  his  two  sons  to 
sign  for  Nichols,  and  Boyce's  debt  on  note. 

7.  Thursday.     Rain  prevents  training. 

8.  Friday.     The  Salem  Cadets  muster. 

9.  Saturday.     I  go  to  Topsfield  with  Daniel  Esty. 

10.  Sunday.  Mr.  Fisher  preacheth  two  excellent  ser- 
mons. 

11.  Monday.  Warm  day.  B.  Pickman,  Jr.,  goes  for 
the  eastward. 

12.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  ;  wind  S.  E.  I  set  out  with 
J.  Grafton  for  Boston ;  dine  with  him  at  Mrs.  Gray's  ; 
lodge  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  ;  go  into  the  gallery  to  hear  the 
debates  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Mitchell 
Sewall  comes.  Putnam,1  son  of  Gideon,  proposeth  to 
study  law. 

13.  Wednesday.  A  warm  day.  I  go  into  the  lobby 
to  hear  the  debates  as  to  general  pardon,  and  as  to  rais- 
ing of  troops  ;  return  at  evening  [at]  half  past  9  o'clock. 

14.  Thursday.  Very  warm.  Primus  Lynde's  funeral. 
Mrs.  Goodale  ill ;  hath  hysterical  fits. 

15.  Friday.  Warm.  Dr.  Masury  a  few  days  ago  had 
a  paralytic  shock.  A  pardon  to  go  with  the  troops  to 
the  westward. 

16.  Saturday.    A  fine,  clear,  cool  morning.    We  hear 

1  Samuel  Putnam,  afterwards  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court. 


280  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

from  Boston  that  2  companies  of  artillery  are  to  go  for- 
ward to  the  western  counties  to  support  the  Executive 
for  the  proposed  execution  of  the  traitors. 

20.  Wednesday.  Morning,  I  set  off  for  Dan  vers  to  at- 
tend Endicot's  and  Patch's  reference  at  Leach's  tavern, 
and  attend  till  5,  and  then  set  off  with  Stevens  for  Ips- 
wich Court. 

21.  Thursday.  Evening,  the  Chief  Justice  comes  and 
meets  us  at  Sheriff  Farley's,  and  tells  us  of  the  escape 
of  the  criminals  in  Hampshire,  etc. 

22.  Friday.     The  Court  adjourns  without  day. 

23.  Saturday.  A  warm  day.  Mrs.  Nimmo  {alias 
Tate)  goes  off  bag  and  baggage  to  Boston. 

25.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  warm  ;  wind  S.  E.,  and 
some  rain  a.  m.     Town  meeting  for  the  bridge. 

26.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cool.  Bridge  !  bridge  !  is  all 
the  conversation. 

28.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cool.  Turtle  feast  at  Lynn 
Beach,  [by]  J.  Gardner's  invitation  ;  John  and  co.  do  not 

go- 

29.  Friday.  Petitions  go  in  for  the  bridge,  the 
bridge  ! 

30.  Saturday.  Mr.  Turell  and  brother  Stephen  Sew- 
all  dine  with  me  on  fish.  The  ferry-way  bridge  scheme 
seems  in  best  credit. 

yuly  4.  Wednesday.  Grand  exhibition  at  Boston  on 
this  day  ;  oration  by  Daws  in  Chapel,  and  Gen'l  Brooks 
to  the  Cincinnati. 

5.  Thursday.  Warm.  Mr.  Bourn  and  Mr.  Oliver  dine 
here,  and  Mrs.  Oliver  and  son  ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  go  to 
Danvers,  and  tarry  at  night. 

6.  Friday.  Clear  and  warm.  Mr.  Bourn  returns  in 
the  stage  to  Boston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  return  and  take 
tea  with  us,  and  from  hence  go  to  Marblehead. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  28 1 

10.  Tuesday.     The  Court. 

11.  Wednesday.  Wait,  D.  Sheriff,  being  pressed  with 
demands,  agrees  to  serve  no  longer  the  Ju.  Court.  Mr. 
Wetmore  and  Billy  come  at  evening. 

12.  Thursday.  They  dine  with  me,  also  Just.  Love- 
joy  ;  in  the  afternoon  they  return  for  Boston,  and  Maj. 
Erwin  comes  and  takes  tea  with  us. 

13.  Friday.  The  major  goes  to  B.  Island  and  takes 
possession  on  Mr.  Turner's  mortgage. 

14.  Saturday.  The  major  goes  to  Boston  in  the 
stage. 

15.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  No  church.  I  go  to  hear 
Mr.  Bentley  at  Mr.  Prince's  meeting. 

17.  Tuesday.  J.  Derby  hath  Dr.  Putnam  and  the 
elderly  people,  gentlemen  and  ladies,  at  his  house  at  the 
Neck,  and  [they]  spend  there  the  afternoon  ;  it  was  very 
cool,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  company,  gentlemen 
and  ladies,  walk  back. 

18.  Wednesday.  Commencement.  The  morning  was 
so  cold  that  many  were  discouraged  from  setting  out  for 
Cambridge  ;  at  several  places  was  considerable  ice  and 
frost.  The  guards  at  Cambridge  were  mounted  all  on 
white  horses,  and  had  handsome  uniforms,  scarlet  and 
blue.  The  exhibitions  of  the  candidates  were  said  to  be 
exceedingly  good.  The  President's  house  broken  [into] 
in  the  night,  but  the  robbers  were  driven  off. 

19.  Thursday.  The  watch  patrol  the  streets,  and 
several  of  other  companies  go  into  Lynn  woods  in  quest 
of  thieves  and  robbers,  but  find  none.  This  a  fine,  clear, 
cool  day.  I  have  a  letter  from  N.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  and 
answer  it,  and  write  to  Judge  Oliver  by  Jenks  ;  also  to 
S.  Curwen,  and  send  42s.  Sd.  to  him  in  a  letter  on  ac- 
count. 

20.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  morning.  Mr.  Fisher 
returns  from  Falmouth. 


282  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

21.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon  goes 
with  W.  Cabot  to  Mr.  Orne's,  and  returns  at  evening, 
and  finds  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  and  Billy  here. 

22.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  and 
Mrs.  P.  sup  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

23.  Monday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  and  our  family 
dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

24.  Tuesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  and  Mrs.  Pyn- 
chon and  Mrs.  Goodale  go  to  Marblehead. 

27.  Friday.  Cloudy.  Two  straggling,  suspicious  per- 
sons are  taken  up  by  2  negroes,  and  complained  of  for 
idleness  and  disturbing  the  peace. 

28.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's.  See 
the  hum  in  the  papers  as  to  American  trade.  Mrs. 
Curwen  returns  in  the  new  chariot. 

29.  Sunday.  Cool,  but  cloudy.  Mrs.  Orne  comes 
down  and  goes  to  church  at  Marblehead. 

30.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  cooler  than  often  in  Febru- 
ary ;  at  night  people  are  uncomfortable  abed  without 
warming.  Ed.  Putnam  disappointed  again  as  to  swear- 
ing out  of  jail. 

August  1.  Wednesday.  Cadet  company  agree  to  ex- 
ercise at  5  in  the  evening.  An  attempt  to  rob  at  Lynn 
Plains. 

2.  Thursday.  Warmer  and  cloudy,  I  write  to  Gen'l 
Glover,  Rob.  Foster,  N.  Silsbee,  as  to  speedy  settlement 
of  account  with  N.  Sparhawk,  [and]  Ezra  Putnam  for 
settlement  with  W.  Wetmore  immediately.  Bank-bills 
counterfeited,  and  passing  at  Boston  ;  a  Nova  Scotian 
suspected,  and  is  followed  eastward. 

3.  Friday.  Cold.  Secret  correspondence  of  S.  H. 
with  G.  Lincoln  comes  out. 

4.  Saturday.  I  dine  at  W.  Cabot's,  and  go  with  him 
to  Mr.  Orne's  at  tea.     H.  Gardner  returns  from  sea. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  283 

5.  Sunday.  Very  warm  and  clear.  I  go  to  Marble- 
head  ;  dine  at  Mr.  Oliver's.  Most  excellent  singing  at 
church  in  forenoon  and  afternoon.1 

9.  Thursday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright  at  tea  with  my 
family.     Weather  very  hot. 

10.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  a  fine  rain  a.  m.  Lecture 
at  Spaulding's  meeting-house. 

12.  Sunday.  Warm.  At  church  A.  m.  Mrs.  Orne 
comes  with  Mrs.  Pynchon,  and  the  three  girls  return. 

13.  Monday.  Rumours  and  surmises  as  to  defaulters 
at  Congress,  Convention,  etc.  Brother  Stephen  comes 
and  lodges  with  us. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning.  The  Court  of  Sessions 
adjourns. 

17.  Friday.  Clear  and  warm.  Last  night  neighbour 
Lang  left  open  his  shop  window  and  doors,  and  this 
morning  was  missing  his  glass  case,  which  some  of  the 
neighbouring  wags  took  away,  and  were  busy  with  Lang 
in  searching  for  it,  and  advising  to  advertisements,  search- 
warrants,  etc.,  etc.,  till  poor  Lang  was  half  crazy  and 
bewildered  ;  his  boy  was  shewing  the  neighbours  and 
inquisitive  folk  the  place  where  and  how  the  thieves  got 
in,  which  hook  and  bolt  they  drew  and  drove  in  again, 
till  the  spectators  were  ready  to  burst  their  sides. 

18.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  I  drink  tea  at  Mr. 
Fisher's.  Hear  by  Mr.  Vans  of  Dr.  Holten's  return 
from  Congress,  and  of  his  want  of  confidence  in  the 
grand  convention. 

19.  Sunday.  A  very  fine,  clear,  and  cool  day.  At 
church  ;  Mr.  Fisher  preacheth. 

1  The  music  at  St.  Michael's  at  this  time  was  in  advance  of  that  in  most 
churches.  It  was  at  this  church  that,  four  months  later,  on  the  eve  of 
Christmas,  the  first  chanting  was  heard  in  the  American  Church,  and  many 
persons  often  went  from  Salem  to  be  present  at  the  services. 


284  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

20.  Monday.  Cool  and  cloudy  ;  rain  at  night.  Mrs. 
Blyth  dies  p.  m. 

21.  Tuesday.  Rains  hard  in  the  morning.  Wrote  to 
T.  Fuller  for  Mr.  C,  H.  Gardner,  M.  Gardner,  B.  Felt, 
and  D.  Smith.  French  officers  come  to  town  from  Bos- 
ton. 

22.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mrs.  Blyth's  funeral ;  sing- 
ers come  from  Marblehead  ;  J.  P.  plays  a  dirge. 

24.  Friday.  A  clear,  warm  day.  Mr.  Osgood  and  I 
go  to  wait  on  Dr.  Holten,  lately  returned  from  Congress  ; 
he  had  rode  out,  and  we  went  to  see  Mr.  Wadsworth's 
new  house  and  meeting-house.  At  evening  I  take  tea 
at  Mr.  Sanders's. 

25.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  morning.  Several  gen- 
tlemen from  Nova  Scotia  come  to  town. 

26.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  all  day.  p.  m., 
Mr.  Allen  et  al.,  from  Nova  Scotia,  at  church  ;  their  be- 
haviour very  decent  and  exemplary  ;  they  go  to  Mr. 
Fisher's  at  tea. 

27.  Monday.     Clear  and  cool.     Letter  from  J.  Sewall. 

28.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Osgood,  of  Haverhill,  and  his  son 
here. 

30.  Thursday.  Fair  and  cool.  Dr.  Walter  and  family 
come. 

31.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool.  I  make  a  visit  to  Dr. 
Walter  ;  Mrs.  W.  is  much  fatigued  with  her  passage  and 
her  journey  from  Boston  to  Salem,  [and]  keeps  her 
room ;  Mr.  Grafton  goes  with  me.  Mrs.  Pynchon  goes 
to  Marblehead  with  Mr.  Oliver. 

September  1.  Saturday.  A  fine  morning.  I  go  with 
Mr.  Fisher  to  see  Dr.  Walter  and  lady,  and  meet  them 
both,  and  we  are  very  cordially  and  respectfully  received 
by  them. 

2.   Sunday.     Dr.  Walter  preacheth  at  Marblehead  for 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  285 

Mr.  Oliver ;  his  lady  goes  with  him.  Mrs.  Orne  also 
goes  over,  and  spends  the  day  most  agreeably,  as,  on  her 
return  this  evening,  she  tells  us.  Mr.  Fisher  gives  us 
a  most  useful  and  entertaining  sermon  at  church  ;  his 
delivering  it  was  excellent,  distinct,  etc. 

3.  Monday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  John  goes  to 
Topsfield  and  Reading  on  actions  before  Justice  Cleave- 
land  and  Justice  Browne,  and  succeeds  to  his  wishes. 

4.  Tuesday.  Fair,  good  weather.  I  incur  the  dis- 
pleasure of  masters  and  merchants  by  judgment  in  fa- 
vour of  a  sailor.  Mr.  Oliver  and  brother  here  in  the 
evening,  and  Dr.  Holyoke  on  business. 

5.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  rain  ;  in  the  afternoon  it 
clears  off,  and  I  go  to  Marblehead,  and  lodge  at  Mr. 
Oliver's  ;  return,  and  write  to  Mr.  Atherton,  of  Amherst, 
by  Sheriff  Stevens. 

6.  Thursday.  Sup  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  Dr.  Walter 
and  lady  and  Jas.  Jeffry. 

9.  Sunday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning.  Dr.  Walter 
preached  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  ;  Mr.  Fisher 
read  prayers  ;  a  very  full  church  in  afternoon  ;  his  ad- 
dress and  delivery  excellent  in  the  pulpit,  and  his  dis- 
courses and  composition  elegant. 

10.  Monday.  Mr.  Ogden,  of  Portsmouth,  calls  to  see 
me.  Mr.  Osgood,  of  Haverhill,  with  the  Club,  is  here 
in  the  evening. 

11.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Court  of  Sessions 
sit  by  adjournment  ;  Justice  Mansfield  presides  with 
dignity. 

14.  Friday.  A  general  pardon  of  the  convicts  for 
treason,  etc. 

15.  Saturday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  go  with  Mrs.  Good- 
ale  to  see  Mrs.  Orne  and  her  daughter,  Betsy ;  Dr. 
Holyoke  and  B.  Pickman,  Betsy  Cabot  and  Miss  Lander, 


286  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

there  at  tea.  See  the  Centinel  and  the  satirical  rap 
given  by  the  reviewers  to  Doc.  Adams's  book  on  the 
American  Constitution.1  See  the  Governor  satirized  as 
to  the  pardons. 

1 6.  Sunday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walter  go  to  Marblehead. 
Mr.  Ogden  at  church  ;  p.  m.,  here.  A  fine,  cool  day. 
Joshua  Grafton  grows  weaker  and  worse  daily.  Mess. 
Goodale  and  Grafton,  Mr.  Lynde  Oliver,  and  I  go  over 
to  the  christening  of  Mr.  Oliver's  son,  Daniel,  and  Mr. 
Goodale  and  co.  kindly  walk  back  for  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Walter  and  daughter  to  ride,  Mr.  Walter's  horse  having 
run  off. 

17.  Monday.  A  clear,  cool  day.  Spend  a  pleasant 
evening  at  Dr.  Plummer's. 

18.  Tuesday.  A  cool,  clear  morning.  Notice  to-day 
from  G.  Williams  of  reference  being  Monday  before- Sept. 
Court,  between  Glover  and  Jewet.  This  day  wrote  again 
by  post  to  Jewet  as  to  reference.  At  adjournment  of 
Court  of  Sessions  this  day  I  was  called  on  to  preside, 
being  the  only  one  of  the  quorum  in  town. 

22.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain  and  shine  by 
intermission.  Mrs.  Pynchon  goes  with  F.  Goodale  to 
Mr.  Orne's,  and  returns  at  evening.  Mrs.  R.  Cabot 
here. 

23.  Sunday.  Fine  weather.  Mr.  Fisher  preacheth 
all  day  to  crowded  audiences  ;  Mr.  Prince  having  a  cold, 
his  people  go  to  church. 

24.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  At  six  o'clock  clerk  Os- 
good and  I  set  out  in  S.  Blyth's  chaise  for  Newbury 
Court,  and  dine  with  the  Court  at  Davis'. 

25.  Tuesday.  Fine  weather.  I  write  to  James,  of 
Edgcomb,  as  to  Glovers  reference,  by  post. 

1  This  paper  was  from   the  (London)  Critical  Review  for  April,  1787. 
See  Massachusetts  Centinel  of  September  22,  1787. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  287 

26.  Wednesday.  Good  weather.  Mr.  Willis  is  not 
proposed  for  admission,  the  Bar  not  meeting. 

27.  Thursday.  Fine  weather.  Mr.  O.  and  I  visit 
J.  Greenleaf  a.  m.,  at  8  o'clock. 

28.  Friday.  Murray,  of  Newburyport,  recovers  in  case 
of  taxation.  A  number  of  thieves  confess  and  are  sen- 
tenced. I  visit  Mr.  Farnam,  Mr.  Cary,  and  Mr.  Bass  ; 
dine  at  Mrs.  Atkins's. 

29.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Mr.  O.  and  I  set 
out,  and  dine  at  Ipswich,  overtaking  Mr.  Pulling. 

30.  Sunday.  Fine  weather.  Mr.  F.  preacheth  all 
day.     Mr.  Walter  at  Newburyport. 

October  1.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  At  evening  Club 
meet  at  Dr.  H.'s,  and  Mr.  Walter  there. 

2.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  day.  I  write  by  Mr.  Walter 
to  James  Selkrig  at  Shelburne. 

3.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cool.  I  write  to  N.  Spar- 
hawk,  Esq.,  S.  Curwen,  and  Peter  Frye  by  Folgier  on 
Calahan,  and  to  Mrs.  Browne,  of  Virginia,  by  Dr.  Oliver, 
who  is  to  sail  hence  to-morrow. 

4.  Thursday.  Cool  and  clear.  Betsy  Orne  ill,  and, 
we  fear,  upon  the  decline. 

5.  Friday.  Mr.  Grafton  is  said  to  be  recovering  from 
his  illness. 

6.  Saturday.  J.  Grafton  sent  for  his  bearers,  [and] 
ordered  all  matters  as  to  his  coffin,  funeral,  etc.  ;  his 
aunts  pronounced  him  delirious,  his  coz.  Jos.  to  be  sound 
and  intelligent ;  an  affray  ensued,  and  he  drove  all  out. 

8.  Monday.  Delivered  to  coroner  Cook,  Salem,  ex- 
ecution, Sar.  Laurence  v.  Mich.  Farley,  dam.  ,£35.5.4, 
costs  £1.14.8,  date  1  Oct.     Dr.  Paine1  and  family  begin 

1  Dr.  William  Paine  was  the  son  of  Timothy  Paine.  He  was  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  176S,  was  proscribed  in  1778,  and  became  apothe- 
cary to  the  British  forces  in  Rhode  Island  and  New  York.  After  the  war 
he  resided  at  St.  John,  but  returned  in  17S7  to  Salem.  He  went  to  Worces- 
ter to  reside  in  1793,  anc^  there  died  April  19,  1833. 


288  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [October, 

housekeeping  ;  they  came  in  last  Friday,  p.  m.,  with 
Miss  Prince,  who  brought  letters  from  J.  Sewall,  who 
with  his  family  has  taken  a  house  at  St.  John.  Mr. 
Wetmore  arrives  from  the  eastward,  and  lodgeth  with  us. 

9.  Tuesday.  I  go  to  Jacob's,  Danvers.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  sets  out  in  the  stage  for  Boston.  I  go  to  see  Dr. 
Paine,  and  spend  the  evening  most  agreeably  in  hearing 
accounts  from  New  Brunswick,  a.  m.,  I  went  with  Mr. 
Barnard  to  Mr.  Diman's  ;  he  confined  by  illness.  Hans 
Newhall  comes  with  many  new  and  some  of  his  old  ex- 
cuses ;  W.  Webb  also  comes  ;  and  Israel  Putnam  comes 
about  his  father's  enlargement. 

10.  Wednesday.  Mr.  Grafton  continues  better.  Last 
evening  I  spend  at  Dr.  Paine's,  and  am  much  enter- 
tained with  accounts  of  friends  at  Nova  Scotia.  N. 
Sparhawk,  Esq.,  and  others  arrive  from  England  at 
Boston.  John  Derby  brings  home  Mrs.  Derby,  and,  with 
her,  Miss  Mayhew.     Dr.  Putnam  goes  out  of  jail. 

11.  Thursday.  A  very  fine  day.  Mr.  Diman  dis- 
ordered yet ;  at  times  dividing  his  lands,  at  others  solving 
paradoxes. 

12.  Friday.  An  exceeding  fine  morning.  Mr.  Diman 
finisheth  his  will  and  executeth  it,  and  appears  to  be 
greatly  relieved.     Mr.  Prince  continueth  ill. 

13.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  day.  Dine  at  W. 
Cabot's,  and  go  with  Mr.  Goodale,  Colo.  Pickman,  W. 
Cabot,  and  Mr.  Noyes  to  the  fort,  and  drink  coffee. 

15.  Monday.  A  very  fine,  clear  morning.  A  fine, 
cold  collation  at  J.  Derby's  on  the  great  occasion,  young 
and  old  attending. 

16.  Tuesday.  I  write  to  R.  Hooper,  Esq.,  by  Mr. 
Oliver  as  to  settlement. 

17.  Wednesday.  Windy  and  cool  and  clear.  This 
being  the  day  for  training,  the  new  militia  company  in 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  289 

rifle  uniforms  turn  out  and  make  a  very  good  appearance 
under  Capt.  Page,  and  they  join  in  the  exercises  with 
the  Cadets,  and  all  are  this  day  commanded  by  Capt. 
Abbot ;  the  artillery  company  under  Capt.  Buffinton 
keep  by  themselves,  insisting  on  firing  their  field  pieces 
in  School  Street,  whereby  they  broke  Dr.  Putnam's 
windows  and  greatly  disturbed  him,  though  ill.  The 
wind  blew  all  day,  and  raised  the  dust,  so  that  it  was 
difficult  walking  the  street  with  eyes  open. 

18.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear  day  ;  the  wind  continues. 
Professor  Williams  here  yesterday  with  Mr.  Barnard. 
Mr.  Prince  and  Grafton  continue  ill  yet,  the  latter  far 
gone.  Miss  R.  Pickman  spends  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing with  Betsy  Orne,  and  is  very  sociable. 

19.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  John  and  co.  go 
to  Reading,  and  are  noticed  by  General  Brooks,  Hull, 
et  al.     I  call  at  J.  Grafton's  ;  he  died  this  evening. 

20.  Saturday.  A  fine  day  ;  cloudy  at  times.  Mr. 
Oliver  dines  here.  W.  Pickman,  John,  and  N.  Ropes 
walk  to  Marblehead.    Mrs.  Pynchon  visits  at  S.  Grafton's. 

22.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  J.  Grafton  is  buried, 
not  carried  into  church.  I.  Osgood,  from  Haverhill,  in 
town. 

23.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day.  Reference  in  Glover  and 
Jewet's  cause.  Mr.  Wetmore  comes  ;  the  family  on  [a] 
visit  at  Mr.  Paine's. 

24.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine,  warm  day.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  goes  to  Boston.  N.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  set  out  early 
this  morning  for  Portsmouth  ;  he  came  from  Boston  last 
evening  and  called  to  see  me,  and  brought  a  letter  and 
book  from  Judge  Oliver. 

25.  Thursday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  day.  Mrs.  Pyn 
chon,  Mrs.  Orne,  and  Betsy  spend  the  evening  at  Mrs. 
Anderson's  ;  musick  and  dancing. 

26.  Friday.     Fine,  warm,  clear  morning ;  foggy  p.  m. 

19 


290  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

I  go  with  neighbour  Wright  in  his  new  chaise  to  Mar- 
blehead,  and  back  at  tea.  Mrs.  Pynchon,  Orne  and  co. 
spend  the  evening  at  Mrs.  Pickman's ;  no  dancing  again. 

27.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  cool  day.  We  hear  from 
Boston  that  a  great  majority  of  [the]  General  Court 
•voted  in  favour  of  the  new  Constitution  ;  that  the  bridge 
over  Beverly  ferry  is  to  be  erected. 

29.  Monday.  A  cool  day.  Town  meeting  to  obtain 
the  mind  of  the  inhabitants  as  to  the  bridge  over  Beverly 
ferry  ;  and  the  first  motion  made  was  to  dismiss  the 
meeting,  in  order  to  avoid  the  perpetuating  of  quarrels  in 
the  town  ;  and  it  passed  in  the  affirmative  by  a  majority 
of  15,  the  fullest  meeting  remembered  in  Salem. 

31.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cool  morning.  Sent  by 
Dr.  Paine  Judge  Oliver's  present  of  a  book  to  Colo. 
Worthington  instead  of  S.  Lyman,  Esq.,  to  whose  care 
directed.  Mrs.  Oliver  came  over  on  foot  from  Marble- 
head  to  see  us  ;  dined  and  lodged  with  us. 

November  1.  Thursday.  This  day  the  dispute  at 
General  Court  about  the  bridge  came  on  warmly,  and  at 
evening  (present  190  members)  the  vote  was  called  and 
questioned,  and  on  a  division  of  the  House  .  .  .  were 
for  accepting  the  report  of  the  Senate  in  favour  of  the 
bridge  and  .  .  .  against  it. 

2.  Friday.  Three  swivels  were  fired  in  Northfield  on 
account  of  the  bridge  news. 

3.  Saturday.  Fair,  cool  day.  Town-meeting  is  warned 
to  be  on  Monday  concerning  the  bridge  ;  the  House  of 
Representatives  not  concurring  with  the  Senate,  the 
matters  rest  before  the  Senate,  and  party  spirit  in  Salem 
is  at  an  high  pitch  ;  S.  Ward,  the  leader  of  up-in-town 
disputants,  was  by  the  Insurance  Office  voted  out,  and 
he  tells  them  they  will  repent  of  their  ill  manners  in 
doing  it. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  291 

4.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning,  and  cool,  pleasant 
day.  I  walk  to  Marblehead  in  company  with  Mr.  Turell ; 
go  to  church  and  hear  their  organ,  lately  repaired.  Mrs. 
Ford  is  buried.  At  night  I  ride  back  with  Mr.  Oliver  ; 
John  walked  with  Mr.  Turell. 

5.  Monday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  I  go  to  Danvers 
before  the  Commission  on  Waters'  estate,  and  put  in 
my  claim  on  judgment.  The  Superior  Court  meets 
here. 

7.  Wednesday.     Mr.  Symmes  here. 

8.  Thursday.     Mr.  Wetmore  comes  with  Billy. 

9.  Friday.  A  ball  at  Concert  Hall ;  the  Judges  Sar- 
geant,  Sumner,  and  Bradbury  present,  and  a  large  com- 
pany of  ladies —  about  55  ;  Mr.  Lane  and  son  present 
also. 

10.  Saturday,  p.  m.,  the  Superior  Court  adjourns 
without  day.  Judges  Cushing  and  Sumner,  with  Mr. 
Sewall  and  the  Sheriff,  dine  with  us  ;  Mr.  Lowell,  Good- 
ale,  Prescott,and  Mansfield  disappoint  us.  S.  Ward  here 
at  tea. 

11.  Sunday.  Morning,  Judges  Cushing  and  Sumner 
go  out  of  town  early. 

12.  Monday.  Dr.  Paine  is  invited  to  be  a  member  of 
the  old  Club,  and  spends  the  evening  with  them  at  Colo. 
Pickman's. 

14.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  foggy.  I  spend  the 
evening  at  Colo.  Pickman's  with  Mr.  Treadwell  and  W. 
Pickman  ;  our  subject  was  the  Connecticut  Blue  Laws ; 
[it  is]  said  in  the  newspapers  that  they  had  the  name 
given  them  from  the  blue  cover  they  were  stitched  in. 
By  the  papers  we  find  the  Stadtholder,  at  the  head  of 
15,000  Prussian  troops,  was  reinstated. 

15.  Thursday.  Warm  and  cloudy.  Judge  Mansfield 
and  son  here.     W.   Cabot  and  Ab.  Gerrish  dine  here. 


292  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [November, 

p.  m.,  cloudy  and  rainy.     Mr.  Goodale  and  I  spend  the 
evening  at  J.  Grafton's. 

16.  Friday.  Rain,  and  dark  weather.  Wrote  to  Jared 
Edgcomb  as  to  Rep't  Glover. 

17.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cool  ;  wind  at  N.  W.  I  go 
to  Boston  in  Burrell's  stage ;  arrive  at  half  after  eleven ; 
dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  ;  pass  over  Maiden  [bridge]  for 
the  first  time  ;  I  visit  W.  Deblois  about  the  affairs  of  G. 
Deblois,  of  Halifax,  and  he  appears  to  be  well  satisfied 
with  my  account  of  them,  and  is  to  write  to  him  accord- 
ingly. I  return  at  evening  by  moonlight  with  G.  Cabot, 
G.  Williams,  and  Thorndike,  and  they  entertain  me  with 
bridge  news  and  General  Court  manoeuvres. 

18.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  W.  Amory 
comes  at  evening  and  lodgeth  with  John  Pynchon. 

19.  Monday.  Mr.  Amory  and  co.  dine  with  Master 
F.  Goodale. 

20.  Tuesday.  They  dine  at  Mr.  Vans',  [and]  spend 
the  evening  at  Mr.  Pickman's.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver 
with  Miss  Knight  come  to  tea,  having  walked  on  foot 
from  Marblehead.  Miss  K.  lodgeth  at  Mr.  Wait's.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Oliver  dine  with  us  ;  also  Mr.  Amory  on 
Wednesday. 

21.  Wednesday,  p.  M.,  it  rains  hard  ;  a.  m.,  is  cloudy. 
We  go  to  Mr.  Vans'  for  tea,  and  spend  the  evening,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Oliver,  Mr.  Amory,  Mrs.  Pynchon,  and  I. 

22.  Thursday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  At  evening  I  went 
to  Insurance  office,  and  was  graciously  received. 

23.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  I  receive  a  letter  from 
Colo.  Pickman  as  to  his  son's  discontinuing  the  study  of 
law,  etc.,  and  answer  it. 

24.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cool ;  wind  N.  E.  yet.  Mr. 
Pickman,  Jr.,  calls  to  bid  adieu  to  the  office  and  to  the 
study  of  the  law,  and  takes  away  his  desk,  papers,  ete. 


1787.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  293 

27.  Tuesday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orne  dine  and 
lodge  here ;  they,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vans,  spend  the 
evening  with  us,  and  are  very  merry. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  A  full  market  for  Thanks- 
giving ;  poultry  at  3d. 

29.  Thursday,  A  fine,  clear  morning.  I  write  to 
Sheriff  Wait  by  G.  Peirce  of  Otisfield,  for  information 
as  to  W.  Webb's  security,  payment  of  costs,  etc.,  etc. 
The  fiddler  lodgeth  and  continues  here,  but  sets  out  a.  m. 
for  Gloucester.  Mr.  O.  and  Sally  and  two  children  dine 
at  Madam  Lynde's,  but  sup  at  Judge  Oliver's.  Mrs. 
Gerrish  is  delivered  in  the  night  of  twins.  We  dine  at 
W.  Cabot's.     Wrote  to  Judge  Oliver  and  Mr.  Curwen. 

December  1.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  cold  ;  the  air 
seems  full  of  snow,  and  doubtless  will  soon  accommodate 
us  with  a  part. 

2.  Sunday.  Clear  and  pleasant.  The  fiddler  dines 
here. 

3.  Monday.  Mr.  F.  Cabot,  lady,  and  sister,  afternoon 
and  evening ;  I  at  Mr.  Goodale's  ;  Colo.  Sargent  there. 
Mr.  Cutler  here  about  Ohio.  Wrote  to  I.  Osgood, 
Haverhill. 

4.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  ;  N.  E.  wind,  and  sky  full  of 
snow.  Write  to  Ezra  Upton's  widow,  Danvers.  Wrote 
to  brother  Pynchon  by  Capt.  White  ;  to  John  Williams 
to  be  at  Springfield  on  22d  December,  or  early  in  the 
week  after  it,  and  to  write  me  an  answer  of  what  time 
they  can  meet ;  to  Mr.  Bliss,  Esq.,  as  to  his  account. 

5.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  The  fiddler  comes 
in  at  one  to  dine.     Town-meeting  for  Convention  men. 

8.  Saturday.  I  go  to  Mr.  A.  Cabot's,  Beverly  ;  spend 
part  of  the  evening  at  George's. 

14.  Friday.  Clear  and  cool.  I  write  to  Judge  Oliver, 
Birmingham. 


294  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

1 6.  Sunday.  Clear  and  very  cold.  Ink  freezes  on  the 
stove  in  the  office.     Mr.  Fisher  ill  and  does  not  preach. 

17.  Monday.  Clear  and  cold.  I  have  [a]  letter  from 
Mr.  Walter,  Shelburne. 

18.  Tuesday.  A  clear,  fine  day  ;  cold.  I  dine  at 
Marblehead,  [at]  Sally's,  and  call  on  Mr.  Hooper  and  on 
Mrs.  Robie. 

19.  Wednesday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Mrs.  R.  Cabot 
here  in  the  evening  on  Mr.  Osgood's  affairs. 

20.  Thursday.  Cloudy,  and  snows.  Mr.  Osgood,  of 
Haverhill,  calls  again  and  again. 

23.  Sunday.  Cold.  John  and  I  set  out  in  Daland's 
carriage  for  Boston  ;  dine  at  Wait's ;  tea  at  Wetmore's  ; 
John  returns  ;  I  lodge  at  stage  house. 

24.  Monday.  At  half  past  five  I  set  out  in  stage  for 
Springfield  ;  breakfast  at  Willington's  ;  dine  at  Marl- 
boro ;  lodge  at  Worcester. 

25.  Tuesday.     Lodge  at  Scott's,  Palmer. 

26.  Wednesday.  Meet  John  Williams  at  Parsons',  and 
go  with  him  to  Ely's  ;  lodge  at  Mrs.  Dwight's  ;  we  cross 
the  Connecticut  River  on  the  ice  with  sleigh  and  2 
horses. 

27.  Thursday.  Dine  at  Mrs.  Dwight's  ;  lodge  at  G. 
Pynchon's  ;  (tea  at  Maj.  Williams',  who  married  Miss 
Pynchon,  daughter  of  Doctor  C.  Pynchon).1 

28.  Friday.  Dine  at  Capt.  Savage's  ;  spend  the  even- 
ing at  Mr.  Bliss's  with  Colo.  Worthington. 

29.  Saturday.  Dine  at  G.  Pynchon's  ;  lodge  at  Mrs. 
Dwight's;  tea  at  Maj.  Williams'. 

1  Dr.  Charles  Pynchon  was  a  son  of  the  second  John  Pynchon,  and  a 
cousin  of  William  Pynchon.  He  was  a  prominent  physician  of  his  day, 
and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society.  He  was 
at  the  capture  of  Louisburg,  and  at  the  battle  near  Lake  George,  when 
Colonel  E.  Williams  was  killed.  Parkman  mentions  him  in  his  Montcalm 
and  Wolfe.     He  married  Anna,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Dwight,  of  Hatfield. 


1 788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  295 

30.  Sunday.    Keep  Sabbath,  and  sit  with  Mrs.  Dwight's 

family. 

31.  Monday.  I  dine  at  Capt.  Savage's  with  Lieut. 
Porter  and  the  officers  ;  set  out  for  Boston  in  New  York 
stage,  p.  m.,  lodge  at  Scott's  ;  Gen'l  R.  Putnam  there 
on  his  tour  to  the  Ohio. 

1788.  January  \.  Tuesday.  Dine  at  Mason's,  Spen- 
cer ;  tea  at  Pearse's,  Worcester,  and  lodge  there. 

2.  Wednesday.  Breakfast  at  Colo.  How's  ;  dine  at 
Flagg's,  Weston  ;  bait  at  Willington's,  Watertown  ;  lodge 
at  Burrell's,  Boston.  N.  B.  Capt.  Savage  leaves  us  at 
Weston. 

3.  Thursday.  Capt.  Orne  lends  me  his  horse  to  ride 
on  to  Salem  (the  stage  not  going  thither)  ;  I  arrive  and 
take  tea  at  his  house,  and  find  my  family  well  at  home. 
Thus  ends  a  pleasant  tour  to  Springfield,  unfortunate 
only  in  getting  in  no  debts  and  not  meeting  brother 
Pynchon. 

4.  Friday.  Very  cold,  and  I  see  and  feel  signs  of 
the  rheumatism. 

7.  Monday.  Cold  and  uncomfortable.  J.  Grafton 
with  the  Club  at  my  house.  Episcopal  clergymen's  pro- 
test against  Freeman's  ordination  is  found  on  [the]  sign- 
post. 

8.  Tuesday.     The  Convention  meets  at  Boston. 

10.  Thursday.  A  severe,  cold  day.  I  set  out  in 
Burrell's  stage  for  Boston  with  Mr.  Bowles  and  another ; 
B.  Pickman  gets  in  at  Newhall's  and  goes  with  us;  we 
are  two  and  a  half  hours  on  the  road  from  Salem  to 
Boston.  I  dine  at  Mrs.  Gray's  ;  lodge  at  Mr.  Wet- 
more's. 

11.  Friday.  Very  cold.  I  dine  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  ; 
take  tea  at  Dr.  Loring's.  We  meet  at  Bunch  of  Grapes 
in  the  evening  and  begin  the  reference.  I  lodge  at  Mr. 
Wetmore's. 


296  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [January, 

12.  Saturday.  Excessive  cold.  The  referees  meet 
at  Mr.  Wetmore's  office  and  hear  the  parties.  I  dine 
at  Loring's  ;  set  out  for  Salem  in  Burrell's  stage,  and 
arrive  at  \  past  six  with  Mr.  Thorndike,  Davis,  and 
2  others.     Mr.  Vans  here.     Cloudy,  and  cold  E.  wind. 

13.  Sunday.  Very  cold.  I  tarry  at  home.  Mr. 
Gerrish's  twin  daughters  die  to-day,  about  six  weeks 
old. 

14.  Monday.  Cold  continues.  Mrs.  R.  Cabot  tarries 
till  my  return  from  the  Club,  to  consult  as  to  Osgood 
and  her  affairs. 

15.  Tuesday.  Cold  still.  Mr.  Wooldridge  brings  Miss 
Robie  to  Mr.  Goodale's. 

16.  Wednesday.  It  snows.  Mr.  Wooldridge  sets  out 
in  the  stage  for  Boston.  In  the  afternoon  it  rains  and 
blows.  Mr.  Gerrish's  twins  are  this  evening  buried  in 
one  coffin  and  the  same  grave  ;  they  were  females,  and 
their  disorder  a  consumption.  Wind  changes  to  S.  E., 
and  grows  warm. 

17.  Thursday.  The  snow  disappears,  and  this  looks 
like  a  spring  day  ;  is  warm  and  pleasant. 

19.  Saturday.  Snow  and  rain  p.  m.  Good  news  from 
the  Convention  ;  a  prospect  that  the  Constitution  may 
be  accepted. 

24.  Thursday.  A  very  fine,  clear  day  ;  cool.  John 
goes  to  Boston.     Hooper,  of  Newbury,  goes  to  Boston. 

25.  Friday.  Snows,  blows,  hails,  and  rains  by  turns. 
John  returns,  and  goes  to  Marblehead  to  a  ball. 

26.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Much  wood  brought, 
but  at  14  shillings  and  upwards.  At  about  9  o'clock  in 
the  evening  Peter  Oliver  and  Hooper  call  for  John, 
bound,  as  they  say,  to  Marblehead.  John  asks  H.  to 
lodge  with  him  in  case  he  does  not  go  to  Marblehead  ; 
but  he  goes  to  bed  at  Robinson's,  and  was  found  dead 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  297 

in  the  morning,  a  broken  pocket  phyal  by  his  bedside, 
and  some  laudanum  at  bottom.  Letter  and  books  from 
S.  Curwen. 

27.  Sunday  morning.  Clear  and  cold.  News  comes 
of  B.  Haw.  Hoopers  death  ;  the  coroner's  inquest  find 
wilful  self-murder  ;  the  body  was  sent  to  Newbury  to  his 
friends  there.  Who  can  withhold  the  compassionate 
tears  from  the  disconsolate  mother  ? 

28.  Monday.  Fine,  clear  day.  Much  wood  is  brought 
to  market  at  13/  and  14/  a  cord.  John  went  to  Boston 
in  the  stage,  and  returned  at  night. 

30.  Wednesday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  come  and  tarry. 
They  dine  at  Mr.  Vans'  on  Tuesday,  and  at  Mr.  Oliver's 
on  Thursday.  Storm  and  snow  to-day,  and  cold  at 
night. 

31.  Thursday.  Fair,  and  good  sledding.  News  from 
Boston  that  the  main  question  as  to  the  Constitution  is 
to  come  on  in  the  Convention  to-morrow,  when  Gov'r 
Hancock  will  be  fully  in  favour  of  it. 

February  1.  Friday.  Cloudy,  but  good  sledding.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Oliver  go  home  in  Mrs.  Vans'  sleigh.  Polly 
Bufton  comes  and  spends  the  day.  Mrs.  Goodale  and 
Miss  Su.  Higginson  spend  the  evening  here  with  Mr. 
Orne. 

2.  Saturday.  Fine  sledding.  Wood  keeps  at  the 
price  of  13  and  14/  for  oak  and  15/  and  16/  for  walnut. 
Mr.  O.  dines  with  us,  and  goes  home  at  night.  John 
Pynchon,  Eb.  Putnam,  Reb.  Cabot,  and  the  Miss  Pick- 
mans  at  12  set  out  for  Danvers.  The  Centinel  of  this 
day  shews  us  a  great  probability  of  an  acceptance  of  the 
Federal  Constitution  on  Gov'r  Hancock's  proposals  of 
amendment.  Andover  calls  a  town-meeting,  which  re- 
fuses to  instruct  their  representatives. 

3.  Sunday.     Warm    and    cloudy  ;  at   night   it  rains  ; 


298  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

the  snow  is  carried  off,  ice  and  mud  only  left.     Mrs. 
Ropes  and  daughter  and  Mr.  Hodges  spend  the  evening. 

4.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  warm.  The  Club  at  Dr. 
Paine's,  who  shows  us  the  E.  India  pipe  with  a  hose  8 
or  10  feet  long,  through  which  the  smoke  is  to  be  drawn. 

5.  Tuesday.  The  day  appointed  for  finishing  the  de- 
bates of  the  Convention  as  to  the  new  Constitution,  but 
nothing  done,  Boreas'  blasts  having  equalled  Gen'l 
Thompson's. 

6.  Wednesday.  Last  night  proved  an  exceeding  cold 
one  ;  this  morning  clear  and  cold,  but  the  wind  subsided 
wholly  this  morning,  and  if  the  political  blasts  subside 
also,  we  hope  to  have  some  good  news  from  the  Con- 
vention, Thompson's  vehemence,  't  is  said,  being  some- 
what abated.  From  Boston  we  hear,  at  8  in  the  even- 
ing, that  a  vote  passed  in  favour  of  the  Constitution, 
thus  :  — 

Voters  in  Convention,      355 
For  the  Constitution,        187 


Against  it,  168    j  35^ 

Majority  of  voters  19.    All  the  bells  in  Boston  rang  on  the 
occasion. 

7.  Thursday.  Cold.  Great  rejoicing  at  Boston  ;  a 
grand  and  curious  procession.  See  the  papers  and  ac- 
count of  British  flag ! 

8.  Friday.    The  members  of  Convention  return  home. 

9.  Saturday.  A  fine  day  ;  good  sledding  ;  wood  from 
13  to  15  [shillings]. 

11.  Monday.  Very  wet.  Dr.  Plummer  takes  the 
Club. 

12.  Tuesday.     I  set  out  in  [the]  stage  for  Boston. 

13.  Wednesday.  I  go  to  see  Mr.  Lowell  at  Roxbury, 
and  Judge  Sumner  ;  Mr.  Russell  and  Mr.  Lane,  etc.,  at 
Mr.  Lowell's.  I  return  to  Boston  at  9  o'clock  to  meet 
Mr.  Sparhawk  ;  he  gone  out. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  299 

14.  Thursday.  I  set  out  in  the  stage  from  Burrell's, 
where  I  lodged,  for  Connecticut ;  lodge  at  Worcester  ; 
Major  Haskell  overtakes  us. 

15.  Friday.  Maj.  Haskell  and  co.  set  out;  dine  at 
Colo.  How's ;  lodge  at  Scott's,  Palmer. 

16.  Saturday.  Reach  Springfield,  [and]  hear  of  John 
Williams  being  gone  for  Connecticut  ;  we  follow  ;  dine 
at  Hitchcock's,  at  Suffield,  who  recognizeth  me  with 
much  heartiness  and  philanthropy  ;  we  lodge  at  Col- 
lier's, and  go  to  hear  Mr.  Bordman  on  Sunday. 

17.  Sunday.  At  meeting  a.  m.  ;  at  home  p.  m.  on 
politicks,  with  Mr.  Dane  and  co.  ;  spend  the  evening  at 
Coz.  Willys' 1  most  cheerfully. 

18.  Monday.  We  proceed  from  Hartford  in  the  sleigh 
through  Weathersfield  to  Middletown  ;  there  see  Gen'l 
Parsons,  a  very  plain-dressed  gentleman,  and  Mr.  Wet- 
more's  father,  at  the  tavern  ;  thence  to  Durham  ;  at  the 
tavern  there  meet  Dr.  Gutridge,2  who  married  a  Chauncy 
—  my  relation  ;  he  most  kindly  and  urgently  insisted  on 
my  calling  to  dine,  on  my  return  from  Guilford.  The 
stage  sleigh  left  me  there  and  proceeded  to  New  Haven, 
and  I  set  out  in  Mr.  Morgan's  sleigh  for  Guilford,  but 
lodged  at  good  Deacon  .  .  .  ,  5  miles  distant  from  it. 
The  taverner  and  family  are  disobliging,  and  refuse  me  a 
horse  for  the  5  miles. 

19.  Tuesday.  [In]  morning  early  I  set  out  with  the 
good  deacon's  horse,  and  arrive  at  my  brother's  seat  on 

1  Colonel  Wyllys  was  the  owner  of  the  famous  Charter  Oak  Place,  and 
a  cousin  of  William  Pynchon,  both  being  descended  from  Gov.  George 
Wyllys. 

2  Dr.  Gutridge  was  Dr.  Goodrich,  the  minister  of  Durham,  and  a  man 
of  note  among  the  Congregationalists.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter 
of  Elihu  Chauncy,  of  Durham,  a  third  cousin  of  William  Pynchon,  both 
being  great-grandchildren  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Chauncy,  of  Hatfield.  Dr. 
Goodrich  was  the  ancestor  of  Professor  Goodrich,  of  Yale  College. 


300  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [February, 

a  beautiful  hill ;  there  find  J.  Williams  in  bed.  We  break- 
fast and  spend  the  day  most  sociably  together,  not  hav- 
ing met  for  15  years  before. 

20.  Wednesday.  We  spend  the  day  in  chat  —  Dr. 
Pynchon  1  et  ux.,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rossiter  and  their 
children  with  us. 

21.  Thursday.  In  afternoon  all  hands  of  us  ride  to 
town,  and  dine  at  Dr.  Pynchon's  ;  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Ruggles 
spend  the  afternoon  with  us  ;  at  night  we  return  to  the 
farm.  Note:  Dr.  Ruggles  married  [the]  mother  of  Mr. 
Rossiter. 

22.  Friday.  We  go,  and  are  at  Mr.  Rossiter's,  he  be- 
ing gone  to  New  Haven  Court ;  he  returns  at  evening. 

23.  Saturday.  Dr.  Pynchon  and  Mr.  Rossiter  take 
me  in  their  sleigh  and  carry  me  to  Durham  ;  we  all  dine 
at  Dr.  Gutridge's,  and  visit  old  Mr.  Chauncy's2  and 
Capt.  Chauncy's  families  ;  the  former  near  90  years  old, 
and  seeming  like  an  old  picture  ready  to  leave  the  frame  ; 
thence  we  go  to  the  stage  house  and  bid  adieu.  I  set 
out  for  Hartford,  they  for  Guilford.  At  the  stage 
house  I  meet  Mr.  Phillips,  of  Middletown,  who  married 
a  Wetmore,  and  urged  me  to  call  on  him  at  Middletown  ; 
in  passing  I  called  and  saw  Mrs.  Phillips,  who  urged  my 

1  Dr.  Thomas  Ruggles  Pynchon,  here  mentioned,  was  the  only  son  of 
Joseph  Pynchon,  and  nephew  of  William  Pynchon.  He  received  his 
medical  education  in  the  hospitals  of  the  British  army  in  New  York.  He 
inherited  by  entail  the  property  of  his  grandfather,  Rev.  Thomas  Ruggles, 
of  Guilford,  and  after  peace  was  declared  took  possession  of  the  property  ; 
his  oldest  sister,  alluded  to,  married  Mr.  Rossiter.  His  son  was  Henry 
Ruggles  Pynchon,  whose  son,  Dr.  Thomas  Ruggles  Pynchon,  was  the  late 
president  of  Trinity  College,  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

2  Elihu  Chauncy,  of  Durham,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Goodrich,  and  ancestor 
of  the  Philadelphia  Chauncys,  was  a  cousin  of  William  Pynchon.  Cap- 
tain Chauncy  was  another  member  of  the  same  family.  Mr.  Chauncy, 
of  the  Upper  Houses,  Middletown  (now  Cromwell),  here  mentioned,  was 
a  brother  of  Elihu  Chauncy,  of  Durham,  and  the  ancestor  of  the  New 
York  Chauncys,  connected  with  the  Alsops  and  Howlands. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  30 1 

tarrying  ;  I  called  on  Mr.  Chauncy  at  the  Upper  Houses, 
and  he  most  cheerfully  saluted  me.  At  evening  I  ar- 
rived at  Hartford  and  put  up  at  Collier's  ;  meet  Major 
Haskell. 

24.  Sunday.  Go  to  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  in 
the  evening  call  again  to  see  Secretary  Willys  and  his 
son,  who  married  the  widow  .  .  .  ,  a  daughter  of  Judge 
Dyar,  and  was  acquainted  with  my  daughter  Oliver  at 
Providence,  where  both  had  resided. 

25.  Monday.  Major  Webb,  Mr.  Pomeroy,  grandson 
of  Secretary  Willys,  and  I  set  out  for  Springfield,  where 
the  stage  leaves  me  and  proceeds  towards  Boston  ;  I 
dine  with  them  at  Parsons's,  but  go  and  lodge  at  G. 
Pynchon's. 

26.  Tuesday.  J.  Williams  comes  to  me  at  Spring- 
field, and  we  go  round  to  Dr.  Brewer's,  Dwight's,  etc., 
to  look  over  old  accounts,  but  cannot  settle,  Dr.  Brewer 
being  absent  at  Brookfield  ;  we  dine  at  Thomas  Dwight's 
with  a  large  company,  Colo.  Worthington's  family,  Judge 
Upham,  and  some  ladies  from  Deerfield  and  Brookfield, 
in  all  16  persons.  They  spend  the  day  and  evening 
there. 

27.  Wednesday.  We  dine  again  at  Mrs.  Dwight's, 
and  I  lodge  at  G.  Pynchon's  ;  tea  at  W.  Pynchon's. 

28.  Thursday.  Williams  leaves  me.  I  call  again  on 
Thomas  and  Jonathan  Dwight,1  executor,  who  find  bro. 
Pynchon's  receipt  to  Colo.  Dwight  for  the  ,£30.  At  one 
Maj.  Haskell,  Mr.  John  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Anderson, 
from  New  York,  come  in  the  stage  from  Hartford,  and 
dine  at  Parsons's  with  Capt.  Savage  and  Lieut.  Porter, 

1  Thomas  Dwight  was  the  eldest  son  of  Josiah  Dwight,  by  his  second 
wife  (the  first  wife  was  Sarah,  a  sister  of  William  Pynchon).  He  was  a 
leading  man,  of  influence  and  wealth.  Jonathan  Dwight  was  his  first 
cousin,  and  the  ancestor  of  Edmund  Dwight,  of  Boston. 


302  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [March, 

and  [in  the  afternoon]  we  call  and  see  the  arms,  stores, 
etc.,  at  the  Arsenal  on  the  hill,  and  thence  we  proceed 
on  our  journey  and  lodge  at  Scott's. 

29.  Friday.  We  arrive  at  Worcester  and  lodge  at 
Pease's  tavern,  where  a  company  of  young  gentlemen 
and  girls  call  with  a  fiddler,  and  dance  ;  Livingston  and 
Anderson  join  the  company  and  dance  reels,  etc.,  etc., 
till  another  company  come  and  claim  the  fiddler  and  take 
him  off.  Anderson  affects  to  cry,  and  the  ladies  pity 
him,  not  doubting  his  grief  and  tears  to  be  sincere,  and 
prevail  on  the  fiddler  to  proceed  for  2  dances  more  ;  and 
upon  their  leaving  him  at  last,  he  bawls  out  like  a  calf, 
at  length  recovering,  falls  a  laughing  and  sneering  at 
their  simplicity  —  a  true  buffoon  this  ! 

March  1.  Saturday.  We  quit  Worcester,  breakfast 
at  Marlboro,  dine  at  Weston,  and  go  through  Cambridge 
to  Boston  ;  I  lodge  at  Mr.  Wetmore's,  and  deliver  his 
father's  letter. 

2.  Sunday.  Very  cold.  I  go  to  Charlestown,  hire  a 
carriage,  etc.,  and  reach  Newhall's  and  dine  there,  and 
he  in  his  carriage  brings  me  to  Salem.  Thus  ends  the 
second  unsuccessful  tour  to  Springfield. 

6.  Thursday.  Cold  continued  till  this  morning,  and 
now  the  weather  is  pleasant  and  the  sky  clear.  John 
goes  to  Marblehead  Assembly. 

7.  Friday.  Moderate,  pleasant  weather.  House  of 
Representatives  uneasy  at  [the]  Governor's  message,  as 
to  [the]  amendments  of  the  Constitution.  We  spend 
the  evening  at  Dr.  Holyoke's. 

8.  Saturday.  A  fine,  moderate  day.  Plenty  of  wood 
in  the  market  at  13/,  walnut  15/. 

11.  Tuesday.  A  fine  day  ;  the  snow  goes  off  gradu- 
ally. Mr.  N.  Sparhawk  calls  in  the  evening.  Great 
lamentation  at  neighbour  Wright's  —  his  darling  cock 
killed  by  a  boy  ! 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  303 

12.  Wednesday.  Mr.  N.  Sparhawk  dines  with  me  and 
spends  the  day  ;  he  calls  at  evening  with  his  daughter 
Betsy.  John  went  early  in  the  morning  to  Bradford. 
Cloudy. 

13.  Thursday.  A  fine  morning.  The  Tender  Act 
rejected  at  the  Senate. 

14.  Friday.  Morn  clear  and  pleasant.  John  goes  to 
Danvers,  A.  Putnam's  Court ;  does  not  return.  Mrs. 
Ropes  here  [in]  the  evening  and  sups. 

15.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear,  moderate  morning,  and 
pleasant  day.  John  returns  in  the  evening  at  9  o'clock 
from  Marblehead,  whither  he  went  from  Danvers. 

17.  Monday.  Clear  and  cool.  Jos.  Flint's  leg  broken 
and  his  life  in  great  danger. 

18.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  a.  m.  News  of  W.  West's 
death,  son  of  W.  West. 

20.  Thursday.  A  very  fine  day.  A.  Oliver  comes. 
Mrs.  Pynchon  goes  to  Marblehead. 

21.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  and  cool.  The  head- 
ache detains  me  from  church.  Mr.  Condy  calls  for 
John. 

22.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  Condy 
calls  again  this  morning,  informing  me  of  the  army  ac- 
counts. Mr.  Grafton  and  Patty  Pynchon1  married  at 
church  p.  m. 

23.  Sunday.    A  cloudy  morning.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graf- 

1  Martha  Pynchon  was  married  to  William  Pynchon,  Jr.,  March  4,  1780. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Elkins  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John 
White,  and  after  the  death  of  her  husband  she  married,  on  the  date  above 
given,  Joseph  Grafton  ;  and  when  again  a  widow,  she  became  the  wife  of 
George  Stewart  Johonnot.  She  died  without  issue  on  the  27th  of  May, 
1840.  Her  sister,  Elizabeth,  married  Thomas  Saunders,  whose  daughter, 
Elizabeth,  married  Hon.  Leverett  Saltonstall.  At  the  death  of  her  third 
husband,  Mrs.  Johonnot  was  left  with  an  ample  fortune,  which  she  be- 
queathed, as  directed  by  his  will,  to  the  Insane  Hospital  at  Worcester. 


304  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [April, 

ton  are  out  at  church  morning  and  afternoon.  I  dine  at 
Mr.  Vans'.     Some  rain  p.  m. 

24.  Monday.  Mr.  O.  introduceth  Bishop  Seabury 1 
and  Mr.  Moore,  who,  with  Mr.  Goodale,  dine  with  us ; 
the  Bishop  calls  upon  Dr.  Paine,  but  not  upon  Mr. 
Fisher  ! 

27.  Thursday.  A  clear  and  cold  day.  Mr.  F.  Cabot 
proposeth  to  solicit  for  sheriff's  office  in  Essex  ;  Sheriff 
Farley  says  that  he  does  not  propose  to  resign  it. 

29.  Saturday.  I  dine  at  Dr.  Plummer's  on  salt  fish, 
with  Dr.  Holyoke,  Mr.  Grafton,  and  co. 

30.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Ogden  preacheth 
for  Mr.  Fisher. 

April  1.  Tuesday.  John  and  I  set  out  a.  m.  in  New- 
hall's  chaise  for  Ipswich  Court;  arrive  in  season;  put 
up  at  Rogers's. 

3.  Thursday.  Cool.  Tea  with  Mr.  Andrews  at  Per- 
kins's.    At  night  it  rains. 

4.  Friday.  Rains.  John  and  I  set  out  for  Salem  ; 
arrive  at  two  and  dine  at  home. 

5.  Saturday.  Fine  rain  continues.  Mr.  Sargent  and 
Dr.  Plummer  meet  about  their  suit. 

7.  Monday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  but  the  wind  veers  to 
the  east,  and  very  cold  p.  m.  A  full  town-meeting  to-day 
for  choice  of  Governor,  Lieut.  Governor,  and  Senators, 
and  a  full  meeting  at  N.  Ropes',  on  account  of  J. 
Hodges'  publishment.  Mr.  Nutting,about  95  years  of 
age,  comes  in  and  sits  down  to  bacon,  beef,  cheese,  and 
olives. 

8.  Tuesday.  Capt.  Abbot  and  officers  brought  the 
window  breakers  before  the  justices  at  the  Court  House. 

1  It  was  on  this  visitation  of  Bishop  Seabury  to  Massachusetts  that  he 
delivered  the  annual  address  before  the  Boston  Episcopal  Charitable  So- 
ciety at  Trinity  Church,  Boston.  At  his  first  visitation,  the  preceding 
year,  he  confirmed  120  persons  at  St.  Michael's,  Marblehead. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  305 

9.  Wednesday.    Mrs.  Pickman,  Cabot,  and  Paine  here. 

10.  Thursday.  A  fine  morning.  The  window  break- 
ers recognized  for  July  Court,  begin  to  propose  repairing 
the  broken  windows.     Some  rain  p.  m. 

11.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Grafton  with  Mr.  Goodale  spend  the  evening  here.  Mrs. 
G.  Cabot,  of  Beverly,  is  ill  and  declining. 

13.  Sunday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  morning.  Mr.  Turell 
and  John  set  out  in  a  chaise  for  Boston,  to  be  left  at 
Burrell's  there  for  Webb.  Mrs.  Orne  and  the  children 
dine  at  Dr.  Paine's,  and  go  home  at  evening. 

14.  Monday.  A  spring-like  morning  ;  cloudy  at  noon. 
Club  at  Mr.  G.'s.  John  and  Mr.  Turell  return  in  the 
rain  between  10  and  11  at  night,  wet  to  the  skin,  walk- 
ing all  the  way. 

17.  Thursday.  Fast  Day;  fair  and  cool.  At  Mr. 
Fisher's  church  ;  he  preacheth  in  [the]  forenoon  only. 
Brother  Stephen  and  son  come,  sup  and  lodge. 

18.  Friday.  A  fine  rain.  John  goes  over  to  Marble- 
head  in  a  sulky  and  tarries  at  the  dancing-school. 
Thunder  and  rain  in  the  night. 

20.  Sunday.  Cool  day.  At  evening  Williams  comes 
and  sups  with  John. 

22.  Tuesday.  Cool.  The  farmers,  though  busy  at 
the  plough,  yet  send  their  wood  to  market  at  iu.  and 
\2s.  a  cord.  News  of  war  in  Europe,  [the]  Emperor 
against  the  Turk. 

23.  Wednesday.  By  the  papers,  G.  Lincoln  is  to  be 
Lt.  Governor ;  Hancock,  Governor. 

24.  TJiursday.  An  affray  between  the  Governor  of 
New  York  and  the  people  ;  several  killed  on  both  sides.1 

1  This  disturbance  arose  from  an  attack  upon  certain  prominent  physi- 
cians, who  were  unjustly  suspected  of  unlawfully  obtaining  subjects  for 
anatomical  dissection.     See   Lamb's  History  of  New  York,  pp.  306,  307. 
This  riot  was  known  as  the  "  Doctors'  mob." 
20 


306  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

25.  Friday.  Rain,  but  warm.  Mr.  Willes  dines  here. 
News  from  Marblehead  that  the  dancers  were  not  dis- 
persed at  sunrise  this  morning  ;  their  carriages  were  sent 
home  in  the  rain.  Dr.  Holyoke  calls  in  the  evening  ; 
informs  [us]  of  Jay's  being  dangerously  wounded  in  the 
skirmish  at  New  York,  and  several  other  gentlemen 
hurt ;  who  would  not  prefer  a  democratick  government 
to  any  other  among  virtuous  subjects  ? 

26.  Saturday.  Cloudy.  The  dancing  party  have  all 
returned  from  Marblehead.     Some  rain  toward  evening. 

27.  Sunday.  Cloudy ;  wind  N.  E.,  but  not  cold  ; 
p.  m.,  the  wind  is  N.  E.  Mrs.  Gold  is  buried  after  meet- 
ing this  evening. 

29.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  cool,  clear  day.  All  is  hurry 
and  confusion,  preparing  for  training  to-morrow  and  for 
a  ball  at  evening. 

30.  Wednesday.  A  fine  day.  The  two  companies  of 
this  town  in  uniform  were  reviewed,  as  per  flattering 
accounts  in  the  newspapers. 

May  1.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Goodale  and  I,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Grafton,  go  to  Marblehead,  and  go  to  church,  [it] 
being  Ascension  Day  ;  John  goes  on  foot.  It  rains  in 
[the]  evening. 

2.  Friday.  Cloudy  ;  p.  m.,  it  rains  plentifully.  Mrs. 
Higginson,  daughter,  Miss  Prince,  and  Miss  Robie,  and 
Miss  Polly  Goodale  here  at  tea  and  in  the  evening. 

5.  Monday.  I  go  with  Mrs.  Vans  in  their  chaise  to 
Justice  Putnam's,  at  Danvers  ;  on  our  return  we  find  6 
representatives  chosen  for  General  Court  :  — 

Manning,  Bickford,  F.  Cabot, 

Pulling,  Gray,  W.  Pickman. 

I  find  Mr.  Condy  with  John  Pynchon  at  the  office  upon 
a  melancholy  errand.     R.  Ward  much  chagrined  that  he 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  3°7 

could  not  with  his  utmost  efforts  obtain  a  single  vote  for 
representative. 

6.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  day  ;  p.  m.,  the  wind  very 
high  at  N.  W.  Mrs.  Orne  is  taken  ill ;  has  the  disorder 
of  the  phthisick  to  a  higher  degree  than  ever,  but  is 
greatly  relieved  by  bleeding  ;  Dr.  Paine  goes  up  to  tend 
her  as  physician. 

J.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Orne  grows  better.  Mrs.  Oliver 
comes  from  Marblehead,  and  goes  with  Mrs.  Pynchon, 
and  they  tarry  with  her. 

12.  Monday.  Fair  and  fine  day.  Dr.  Paine  goes  to 
Mr.  Orne's  and  dines  there.  N.  Sparhawk,  Esq.,  from 
Portsmouth,  calls  on  me,  and  takes  Calef's  note  and 
account. 

13.  Tuesday.  A  fine  morning.  Good  news  of  Mary- 
land's accepting  the  Federal  Constitution. 

14.  Wednesday.  Fine  day.  Mr.  Cabot  and  I  set  out 
p.  m.  for  Chelmsford  ;  lodge  at  Billerica.  Memo,  sent 
to  Dr.  Kneeland  Calef's  note  and  account  by  Mr.  Spar- 
hawk  last  Monday. 

15.  Thursday.  A  most  serene  and  fine  morning.  We 
go  over  to  Chelmsford,  and  return  to  Billerica  and  dine 
at  Pollard's  ;  set  out  after  dinner,  and  arrive  at  Salem  at 
evening. 

17.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  warm  ;  wind  at  S.  W. 
Primus  brings  willows  for  John. 

19.  Monday.  Rain.  Mr.  Smith,  of  Cambridge,  in 
town,  and  calls  at  my  house,  and  spends  the  evening  at 
Dr.  Plummer's.  John  goes  to  Danvers  on  account  of 
the  riot,  and  his  client  is  acquitted,  at  least  is  discharged 
by  referees.  News  that  Judge  Wendell  resigned  the 
Probate  Office,  and  Judge  Sullivan  [is]  appointed  in  his 
stead. 


308  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [May, 

20.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  wet.  Rumours  as  to  Prof. 
Willard's  misconduct  at  Cambridge. 

21.  Wednesday.  A  very  fine,  warm  day.  All  the 
town  are  employed  about  the  bridges,  and  walking  and 
riding  out,  some  to  Danvers  bridge,  others  to  Salem 
bridge  :  the  former  to  be  fit  for  use  next  week  at  elec- 
tion, the  latter  in  September  next.  Judge  Sargeant  in 
town. 

23.  Friday.  Rains  all  day.  The  stage  does  not  go 
to  Boston  to-day. 

24.  Saturday.  Some  rain ;  cloudy.  I  set  out  for 
Boston  in  the  stage  with  two  ladies  from  Gloucester  ; 
meet  G.  Deblois  at  Boston  ;  dine  at  Mrs.  Waldo's  with 
Mrs.  Wetmore  and  daughter.  Mrs.  Higginson's  life  is 
despaired  of.  All  rejoice  at  the  prospect  of  a  good 
House  of  Representatives  and  a  good  Senate  this  elec- 
tion. 

25.  Sunday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  morning.  Reb. 
Cabot  calls  in  after  meeting. 

27.  Tuesday.  I  go  to  Marblehead  with  Mr.  Stevens 
in  his  chaise  and  see  Mr.  Hooper  there  ;  find  Mr.  Oliver 
at  home  and  take  tea  there  ;  Miss  Chace  came  with  him 
from  Providence. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy ;  wind  S.  W.  All  hands 
merry  and  gay,  running  up  and  down  [the]  streets. 
Clerk  Osgood,  J.  Grafton,  and  I  walk  to  Danvers  new 
bridge,  and  find  the  piers  all  put  up,  but  no  planks  put 
down  ;  we  return  to  election  at  Primus's  flag,  and  take 
ale  and  pies,  and  see  the  dances. 

29.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  I  go  with  neighbours 
Pike  and  Gerrish  to  the  vendue  at  Waters's.  Shillaber 
bids  for  the  benefit  of  the  creditors. 

30.  Friday.  The  carousing,  musick,  etc.,  etc.,  go  on 
with  spirit  in  Northfield  and  in  Southfield,  at  Danvers 


1783.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  309 

and  Marblehead.  Titus  and  Primus  and  attendants  are 
getting  money  apace. 

31.  Saturday.  By  the  papers  it  appears  that  there  is 
a  better  Senate,  House,  [and]  Council,  and  better  Gov- 
ernor than  have  been  elected  for  years  past ;  a  Court  of 
Federalists.  At  evening  John  Pynchon  goes  to  Marble- 
head  with  Danish  Captain.  Mr.  Vans  returns  from 
Boston  with  very  favourable  news  as  to  public  matters. 

June  1.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  cool,  and  windy.  Mr. 
Fisher  preacheth  all  day. 

2.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  At  evening  Mr.  Prince 
gives  us  an  account  of  his  tour  to  Springfield.  John 
and  ...  set  out  for  Probate  Court  at  Ipswich  a.  m.,  and 
return  with  Graham  and  take  tea. 

4.  Wednesday.  Mrs.  Goodale  and  I  go  in  her  chaise 
up  to  Mr.  Orne's,  and  return  a.  m.  Mr.  Bartlett  comes 
to  town  in  the  stage,  and  brings  account  of  Fran.  Good- 
ale. 

5.  Thursday.  John  takes  possession  of  his  new  office 
with  arms  and  ammunition. 

6.  Friday.  A  very  warm  day.  I  leave  off  my  baize. 
Mr.  Bartlett  sets  out  for  Boston  with  Burrell  in  the 
chaise.  Turner's  dance  is  this  night.  Fra.  Goodale  at 
Cambridge  still. 

7.  Saturday.  A  very  clear,  warm  day.  Joyful  news 
from  New  York  that  South  Carolina  hath  accepted  the 
Federal  Constitution. 

8.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  a.  m.  I  set  out 
p.  m.  for  Dr.  Putnam  to  settle  with  Hill  and  Kettle,  at 
Maiden,  and  lodge  at  Mr.  Hill's. 

9.  Monday.     At  home  all  day. 

10.  Tuesday.  Kettle  and  Hill  come  from  Maiden  to 
settle  with  me  an  account  of  Dr.  Putnam. 

11.  Wednesday,     p.    m.,    rains    plentifully.      Mr.    and 


3IO  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [June, 

Mrs.  Oliver,  Miss  Chace,  and  Billy  came  from  Marble- 
head  on  a  visit  yesterday. 

1 2.  Thursday.  Mrs.  Oliver  and  Miss  Chace  dine  here  ; 
Mr.  Oliver  dines  with  his  parents.  Mrs.  Pynchon  and 
Miss  .  .  .  spend  the  afternoon  there,  and  I  take  tea 
with  them. 

14.  Saturday.  Mr.  Motley  here  about  G.  Deblois's 
affair. 

17.  Tuesday.  Morning,  I  set  out  with  Stephen  Cook 
in  his  chaise  for  Ipswich  Court ;  they  meet  not  till  after- 
noon. 

19.  Thursday.  S.  Porter,  Esq.,  passeth  through  Ips- 
wich in  the  stage  for  Salem. 

20.  Friday.  We  hear  of  New  Hampshire  adopting 
the  Federal  Constitution. 

21.  Saturday.  Comes  on  the  trial  of  Peele  and  Farley, 
sheriffs,  for  misconduct  as  to  execution  of  Haraden  ; 
Peele  recovers  interest  and  damages. 

22.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  Porter  goes  to  Mr. 
Barnard's  meeting. 

23.  Monday.  All  hands  prepare  for  rejoicing  ;  in  the 
midst  I  am  called  to  Boston  on  G.  Deblois's  affairs  ;  I 
go  in  the  afternoon,  and  am  wet  to  the  skin  by  a  plenti- 
ful rain  ;  in  the  evening  he  calls  at  my  lodgings. 

24.  Tuesday.  A  fine,  clear  morning.  He  sets  sail 
in  Capt.  Davis.  I  return  to  Salem  ;  call  at  Mr.  Porter's 
lodgings,  but  do  not  meet  him. 

25.  Wednesday.  Rain  and  cold  ;  N.  E.  wind.  Mr. 
Nutting  and  daughter  and  Mrs.  Vans  at  tea. 

26.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  Mr.  Porter 
calls  on  me.  F.  Cabot  here.  Miss  Prince  and  brother 
are  said  to  be  bound  to  St.  John. 

27.  Friday.  Mr.  Porter  dines  at  my  house.  Mrs. 
Turner  calls  on  us.  Mr.  Wetmore  calls  on  his  way  to 
Falmouth. 


1738.]  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  311 

28.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  Deacon  Gatchell 
at  the  office.  I  dine  at  Esq.  Vans'  with  S.  Porter,  Hol- 
yoke,  and  Goodale. 

29.  Sunday.  Rains  plentifully.  Mr.  Porter  calls  on 
me  and  goes  to  church  with  me. 

30.  Monday.  Rain.  The  Club  at  Dr.  Plummer's  in 
the  evening  ;  J.  Jackson  there.  Things  look  gloomy  at 
Virginia  and  New  York  as  to*  [the]  Federal  Constitu- 
tion. 

July  2.  Wednesday.  Rain.  Mr.  Orne  very  ill.  Mr. 
Hooper  writes  that  he  will  soon  send  me  some  coppers  ! 
When  ? 

3.  Thursday.  A  very  warm  and  fine  day.  Mr.  Oliver 
and  Miss  Chace  come.  Politicians  !  politicians !  scram- 
ble, turn,  hoist,  beg,  pray,  lie,  twist,  for  offices. 

4.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  a.  m.  The  Cadets  and 
Artillery  company  turn  out  to-day,  and  are  attended  on 
the  common  by  Colo.  Fiske,  Abbot,  and  Maj.  Waldo, 
and  go  through  their  firing  ;  p.  m.,  pass  through  paved 
street,  firing  [by]  platoons  ;  street  firing  in  the  evening  ; 
rockets  were  fired  from  houses  in  the  common.  Mr. 
Noyes  and  I  go  to  Beverly  bridge.  News  comes  of 
Virginia's  having  accepted  the  Federal  Constitution, 
which  increaseth  the  general  joy.     Mr.  Porter  here. 

5.  Saturday.  Cloudy  and  rain.  J.  Parker  here,  with 
news  of  Gen'l  Browne. 

6.  Sunday.  A  pleasant  day.  Much  talk  of  alterations 
of  the  Courts  of  Sessions  and  of  Common  Pleas  ;  scram- 
ble, ye  politicians  ! 

7.  Monday.  Fair  and  warm.  Confusion  in  judicial 
matters  as  to  filing  causes  sent  up  by  Justices  of  the 
Peace  to  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

8.  Tuesday.  Warm  day.  The  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  meet. 


312  DIARY  OF  WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  [July, 

9.  Wednesday.     The  Court  goes  on  Jehu  like. 

10.  Thursday.     No  licenses  before  noon. 

12.  Saturday.  A  fine  day.  I  go  to  take  tea  at  Mr. 
Vans'. 

13.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  I  go  to  church  p.  m.,  and 
to  the  bridge  in  the  evening. 

14.  Monday.  A  most  delightful  morning  induces 
eager  desires,  various  plans,  and  schemes  for  Commence- 
ment. J.  goes  with  Gerrish,  Pike,  and  others  a-gunning, 
and  have  both  diversion  and  luck  ;  one  gets  a  squunk, 
another  gets  a  woodchuck,  and  by  a  majority  vote  it  was 
determined  to  dress  and  eat  the  latter  only.  Mr.  Wet- 
more  comes  from  the  eastward  and  dines  with  us. 

15.  Tuesday.  Plentiful  rain  early  this  morning.  Billy 
Wetmore  comes  in  at  breakfast ;  [he]  was  caught  in  the 
shower  in  coming  from  Boston  this  morning.  News 
from  N.  York  that  the  Federal  Constitution  may  not  be 
accepted  there. 

16.  Wednesday.  Commencement  at  Cambridge  ;  I  go 
in  Newhall's  hack  with  Maj.  Haskell  et  al.,  and  return 
at  half  past  eleven  at  night. 

17.  Thursday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  I  tarry  all  day  at 
home. 

19.  Saturday.  Mr.  Appleton  and  family  and  Mrs. 
Ropes  and  family,  Mr.  Goodale,  and  others  go  to  the 
Fort,  with  Mrs.  Pynchon  et  ipse. 

21.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  High  entertainment  at 
Colo.  Pickman's.     With  Mr.  Porter  in  the  evening. 

22.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  all  day  and  some  rain.  Yester- 
day John  distinguished  himself  in  law  distinctions  at 
Mr.  Osgood's,  in  construction  of  law  of  reference.  Mrs. 
Curvven  here. 

23.  Wednesday.  Doct.  Hitchcock  calls  to  see  me  with 
Mr.  Barnard. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  3X3 

24.  Thursday.  Cloudy.  Mr.  Vans,  among  other  wise 
observations,  this  day,  and  for  several  days  past,  pub- 
lished} in  a  promiscuous  company  of  G.  B.  and  ladies 
[that]  Parson  Gilchrist,  Jos.  Blaney,  and  most  other 
commonly  called  philosophers  and  men  of  learning  are 
no  better  than  so  many  fools  ;  the  first  two  he  called 
idiots,  and  not  one  whit  better  as  to  living  in  the  world. 

25.  Friday.  I  set  out  on  Gerrish's  mare,  and  her 
waywardness  and  wildness  discourage  me  at  North 
bridge,  and  I  return  her  and  take  Daland's  horse,  and 
go  to  Ipswich  on  Dr.  Rogers'  request. 

27.  Sunday.  Warm  and  cloudy.  Mr.  Amory,  at 
breakfast  with  John,  mentions  his  intention  of  residing 
at  Salem  in  law  business.  Take  tea  at  Mr.  Goodale's, 
meet  with  S.  Higginson,  from  Boston,  and  sup  there. 

28.  Monday.  Cloudy.  I  send  Mr.  Sparhawk's  ac- 
count unfinished,  and  give  him  the  reason  of  it  —  my 
fatiguing  journey  to  Ipswich. 

29.  Tuesday.  Cool  and  cloudy.  Mr.  Amory  calls 
and  stays  a  part  of  the  morning.  Two  turtles  are  dressed 
to-day,  one  at  the  Fort  and  one  at  Robinson's  ;  John 
and  Amory  at  the  latter.  John,  in  Symonds  v.  Foster, 
succeeds  before  Judges  Batchelder  and  Osgood,  and 
gains  continuance  to  next  Monday;  S.  Sewall  for  Foster. 

31.  Thursday.  We  hear  that  Symonds  and  Foster 
have  compounded,  the  latter  making  confession  of  lies 
and  abuses. 

August  4.  Monday.  A  cool  morning;  wind  east.  J. 
figures  away  before  Just.  O.  in  replevin  ;  ne  quid  nimis. 

10.  Sunday.  A  cool  and  very  fine  day.  Church- 
meeting  in  vain  ;  no  wardens  chosen  ;  the  meeting  ad- 
journed. Dr.  Paine  et  ux.  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grafton 
here  in  the  evening. 

12.    Tuesday.     Adjournment  of  the  Court  of  Sessions. 


3 H  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.       [August, 

Dr.  Eben.  Putnam  died  this  day.1  J.  returns  from 
Marblehead,  having  compounded  with  Capt.  Madison 
and  others  concerned  as  to  the  libel  for  the  sailor's  wages. 
Jona.  Mason  calls,  and  repeats  and  renews  his  agreement 
as  to  a  speedy  adjournment  of  O.'s  accounts.  Mess. 
Jeffry,  Pulling,  and  self  dine  with  S.  Porter,  Esq.  —  a 
plentiful  dinner. 

13.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool  day  for  the  military 
muster  of  the  militia  and  undisciplined  soldiers  ;  on  the 
common  were  20  tents,  with  cake  and  other  eatables, 
and  drinks  of  all  kinds  ;  there  were  4  companies,  Capt. 
Page's  in  a  rifle  dress  uniform. 

14.  TJmrsday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  Bro.  Porter 
sets  out  for  Ipswich  with  his  baggage. 

15.  Friday.  All  hands  go  to  the  dance  at  the  Assem- 
bly rooms. 

16.  Saturday.  At  6  I  set  out  for  Boston  on  the  refer- 
ence,—  Apthorp  v.  Bowdoin,  —  and  find  the  dew  was 
very  great  last  evening  ;  people  who  set  out  at  4  were 
wet  quite  thro'  all  their  clothes  ;  not  finishing  the  busi- 
ness, I  return  at  night  by  1/2  past  ten;  I  refuse  dining 
at  Mrs.  Waldo's  for  obvious  reasons.  It  rains  plentifully 
most  of  the  night,  and  refresheth  the  surface  and  all 
upon  the  ground ;  the  produce,  corn,  etc.,  were  nearly 
spoiled  by  the  drought. 

17.  Sunday.  No  church  to-day,  Mr.  Fisher  being  un- 
well. Dr.  Putnam's  pall-bearers  [were]  H.  Derby,  Ward, 
and  Dr.  Holyoke. 

1  Dr.  Ebenezer  Putnam  was  a  prominent  physician  of  Salem.  He  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1739,  and  married,  October  28,  1764, 
Margaret  Scollay,  who  was  born  in  Marblehead  in  1724.  He  was  a  great- 
great-grandson  of  John  Putnam,  who  died  in  1662.  His  son,  Ebenezer, 
was  a  merchant  of  Salem,  and  his  grandson,  Ebenezer,  born  September, 
1797,  was  the  postmaster  in  Salem.  His  great-grandson  is  Professor  Fred 
Ward  Putnam,  of  Harvard  University. 


1 788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  315 

18.  Monday.  A  fine  rain.  Gov.  Hancock  is  expected 
in  Salem,  but  is  stopped  by  the  rain  till  8  in  the  even- 
ing, and  then  comes  in  and  puts  up  at  Colo.  Fiske's  ; 
some  rode  out  to  meet  him,  but  were  caught  in  the  rain, 
and  returned  without  his  excellency. 

19.  Tuesday.  Most  of  the  gentlemen  in  the  town 
wait  on  the  Governor  at  Mr.  Fiske's,  and  13  carriages 
were  driven  out  in  the  morning  to  attend  him  in  his 
tour  from  Salem  to  Marblehead,  and  there  were  just  3 
saddled  horses  with  13  riders  on  them. 

20.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  warm  ;  the  earth  with  us 
wears  a  new  and  pleasing  face ;  the  gardens  laugh,  and 
the  fields  with  the  birds  rejoice  and  sing  together. 

22.  Friday.  A  clear,  cool  morning.  I  write  to  Mr. 
Whittredge  of  [my]  intention  to  call  on  him  to-morrow 
with  Dr.  Holyoke. 

23.  Saturday.  A  fine,  warm  day  ;  at  noon  it  rained 
plentifully.  At  3  Dr.  Holyoke  and  I  set  out  for  Dan- 
vers  to  see  Mr.  Whittredge  ;  he  was  absent  from  home, 
and  we  returned.  Mrs.  P.  goes  to  Vanburg  with  Mrs. 
Vans,  and  I  take  tea  at  Mr.  Grafton's. 

24.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  all  day  ;  Mess. 
Turner,  Osgood,  and  Cabot  in  my  pew.  In  the  evening 
the  church  proprietors  meet  at  Mr.  Blyth's  respecting 
the  affairs  of  the  organ  and  Mr.  Deblois'  claim  ;  Mr.  F. 
and  Colo.  A.  conclude  to  go  to  Boston  about  it. 

25.  Monday.  A  good  day.  At  Dr.  Holyoke' s  in  the 
evening,  where  Bro.  Porter's  letter  to  Salem  Selectmen 
is  read,  and  Sawyer's  love-letter. 

26.  Tuesday.  Shillaber  and  I  go  over  to  Waters'  on 
business  of  the  estate.  Received  a  silly  letter  from  R. 
Hooper,  Esq. 

30.  Saturday.  Overcast.  Jno.  and  Amory,  Osgood 
and  co.  go  to  Mr.  Orne's  in  good  spirits  ;  Amory  dines 
with  us. 


316  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [September, 

31.  Sunday.  A  fine  day.  At  church  p.  M.  ;  the 
wardens,  Colo.  Abbot  and  Blyth,  take  the  wardens'  seats 
after  much  persuasion  and  many  thanks  of  the  proprie- 
tors.    It  rains  at  night. 

September  2.  Tuesday.  Clear.  I  go  over  to  Hutch- 
inson and  Page's  about  Waters'  matter.  Tea  at  Mr. 
Vans' ;  she  declining  in  health. 

3.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cool.  Colo.  Pickman  and 
others  at  Mr.  Treadwell's.  Mr.  Bradish,  from  Cam- 
bridge, and  Mrs.  Paine,  from  Worcester. 

4.  Thursday.  A  fine  morning.  At  noon  Mr.  Pullen 
and  I  go  to  see  the  bridge  and  the  placing  a  pier  ;  the 
regularity  of  the  proceeding  and  quick  despatch  were 
highly  pleasing.  At  evening  Mrs.  Paine  and  family  go 
to  dancing-school,  and  are  much  entertained  there. 

5.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear,  warm  day.  I  received  Mr. 
Hooper's  proposals  at  evening. 

6.  Saturday.  Give  notice  to  Mr.  Hooper  to  attend 
Wednesday  next. 

7.  Sunday.  Turner,  the  dancing  master,  left  the  school 
and  his  scholars  in  tears  last  .  .  .  Messrs.  Goodale  and 
comp.  return  from  their  visit  to  the  French  fleet.  Seven- 
teen colours  at  Beverly  bridge,  and  crowds. 

9.  Tuesday.     This  day  Mrs.  Fr.  Cabot  died.1 

10.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  fair  day.  I  go  to  Marble- 
head  to  settle  accounts  with  Mr.  Hooper,  Esq.  I  dine 
at  Mr.  Oliver's. 

11.  Thursday.  A  fine  day.  p.  m.,  at  Mrs.  Lynde's 
and  Mr.  Oliver's.  Mrs.  Cabot  is  buried  ;  I  could  not 
attend  the  funeral. 

12.  Friday.  Cloudy.  I  call  to  see  Dr.  Putnam's 
family,  who  are  yet  deeply  impressed  with  grief  at  the 

1  Mrs.  Cabot  was  Anna,  daughter  of  John  Clarke  and  Sarah  Pickering, 
and  sister  of  Rev.  John  Clarke,  minister  of  First  Church,  Boston. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  317 

Dr.'s  death.  Billy  Cabot  and  I  ride  up  to  Danvers 
bridge  and  back  to  Essex  bridge,  which  we  pass  on  foot, 
the  planking  and  railing  not  yet  being  completed. 

13.  Saturday.  A  cloudy  day.  Mr.  Vans  takes  W. 
Cabot  and  myself  to  his  seat,  Northfield,  where  we  and 
some  ladies  spend  the  afternoon. 

14.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool,  and  clear  day.  At  church 
all  day.     Mr.  Porter  dines  with  me. 

17.  Wednesday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  The  Cadet  com- 
pany are  trained  p.  m.  I  go  with  Ja.  Jeffry  to  Essex 
bridge  and  we  pass  it ;  the  plank  is  laid  nearly  over  the 
whole  of  the  timber. 

18.  Thursday.  Wm.  Cabot  is  called  on  for  fine  for 
not  training.  Mr.  Porter  and  Amory  with  me  in  the 
evening. 

19.  Friday.     I  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

20.  Saturday.  A  fine,  clear  day.  At  evening  I  walk 
to  the  bridge,  and  the  planking  was  complete  and  the 
railing  nearly  so  ;  most  of  the  posts  for  the  lamps  were 
put  up.  At  half  past  eight  in  the  evening  I  receive  Mr. 
Oliver's  invitation  to  spend  the  afternoon  at  the  christen- 
ing of  his  son  to-morrow  at  Marblehead. 

21.  Sunday.  A  fine  morning,  tho'  very  cool.  My 
cold  caught  at  the  Essex  bridge  last  evening  keeps  me 
at  home  to-day. 

24.  Wednesday.  A  fine  day.  Essex  bridge  finished 
and  prepared  for  passing  and  for  payment  of  toll ;  memo, 
what  each  cattle  is  to  pay  ;  a  great  concourse  resorted 
thither  to  pass,  as  it  was  to  be  free  of  toll  this  day  ;  the 
workmen  had  a  procession  from  the  bridge  to  Leach's, 
at  Beverly,  each  with  the  tools  of  his  trade.1 

25.  Thursday.  At  6  a.  m.  Mr.  Pullen  and  I  set  out 
for  Ipswich,  on  affairs  of  Potter  and  Nelson,  executors. 

1  This  bridge,  at  the  time  of  its  erection,  was  regarded  "  as  one  of  the 
modern  wonders." 


3l8  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [October, 

26.  Friday.  A  fine  day.  We  return  and  find  the 
lamps  lighted  at  Essex  bridge. 

28.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  day.  Mr.  Porter  and  Good- 
ale  at  church.  At  F.  Cabot's  to  wait  on  Lt.  Gov. 
Lincoln. 

29.  Monday.  Colo.  F.  and  John  go  to  Boston  for  in- 
structions as  to  rank,  etc.,  on  the  day  of  review,  and 
return  at  night,  satisfied  with  Gov.  H.'s  politeness. 

30.  Tuesday.  Rain.  I  set  out  with  Stevens  in  his 
chaise  for  Newbury  Ct.  ;  dine  at  Ipswich  with  Potter 
and  co.  ;  arrive  at  Newbury  p.  m.,  and  meet  with  the 
Court  at  the  Court  House  in  season. 

October  1.  Wednesday.  A  fine  day.  I  dine  at  Mr. 
Parsons'. 

3.  Friday.  I  dine  at  Dr.  Smith's  ;  all  genteel  and 
delicate,  except  the  invitation. 

4.  Saturday.  Small  rain.  At  12  Stephen  and  J.  Sewall 
and  Prescott  set  out  from  Court  and  dine  at  Ipswich  ; 
reach  Essex  bridge  at  6  and  saw  the  lamps  lighted. 

6.  Monday.  A  pleasant  day,  though  cool.  At  Dr. 
Holyoke's  in  the  evening ;  how  came  J.  G.  there  ?  Will 
he  be  a  member  nol.  voleutis  ? 

8.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  a.  m.  Rev.  Mr. 
Diman1  died  this  day. 

9.  Thursday.  A  very  clear  and  fine  morning.  Capt. 
N.  Ramsdell,  of  Lynn,  calls  to  see  us. 

10.  Friday.     A  very  fine  day.     Mr.  Grafton  here. 

11.  Saturday.  Rain  [all  day],  and  till  night.  Mr. 
Amory  dines  with  us,  takes  tea,  and  sups  with  John. 
Mrs.  P.  and  I  spend  the  evening  at  Mr.  Vans'.  I  call 
at  Mr.  Fisher's  to  see  him  and  Bro.  Porter. 

12.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cool.  Jack  sets  out  early 
for  Middleton. 

1  Rev.  James  Diman,  II.  C.  1730. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  319 

13.  Monday.  A  fine  day.  Mr.  J.  Bartlett  comes  at 
tea  and  lodgeth  with  us  ;  Mr.  Hooper  cometh  not.  Mr. 
Diman's  funeral  to-day ;  he  is  carried  to  the  meeting- 
house. 

14.  Tuesday.  A  clear  and  cool  day.  Mr.  Bartlett, 
Jno.,  and  Amory  set  out  for  Marblehead.  Mr.  Spar- 
hawk  calls  to  see  us. 

15.  Wednesday.  A  clear,  fine  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon 
and  I  go  to  Marblehead,  and  carry  Wm.  Oliver  with  us, 
and  there  meet  Mr.  Harris,1  the  schoolmaster,  our  kins- 
man. 

16.  Thursday,  A  very  clear  and  fine  day.  Mr. 
Hooper  spends  the  morning  at  Mr.  Osgood's  office  upon 
entries,  etc. 

17.  Friday.  A  fine  morning.  Jno.  ill;  Dr.  Griffin 
calls  to  see  him  ;  Dr.  Holyoke  also  calls  in  the  evening. 

18.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  but  moderate.  Mrs.  Pynchon 
with  Mrs.  Vans  set  out  on  their  tour  for  Essex  bridge  ; 
it  is  proposed  that  they  get  out  of  the  carriage  and  walk 
over  it,  as  at  some  period  of  time  it  doubtless  must  fall 
to  decay,  and  no  mortal  knows  but  that  time  may  be 
whilst  these  two  Amazons  are  walking  over  it.  It  is 
prudent  always  to  be  prudent ;  they  quote  Judge  Lynde. 

19.  Sunday.  A  fine,  cool  morning.  A  letter  from 
Judge  Oliver. 

20.  Monday.  Cloudy  morn.  Mr.  Amory  gives  par- 
ticulars of  the  publication  as  to  Judge  Greenleafs  cruelty. 
A  plentiful  rain  this  evening. 

21.  Tuesday.     Rain  in  the  morning,  and  high  winds. 

1  William  Harris  had  been  a  student  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Holyoke, 
but,  becoming  interested  in  the  Church,  had  abandoned  physic,  and  was 
now  preparing  for  Holy  Orders.  He  succeeded  Mr.  Oliver  at  St.  Michael's, 
where  he  officiated  for  eleven  years.  He  afterwards  became  distinguished 
as  President  of  Columbia  College. 


320  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [October, 

I  spend  the  evening  with  J.  Grafton  at  Clerk  Osgood's  ; 
Dr.  Plummer  there  also. 

23.  Thursday.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gannett  call  to  see  us  ; 
they  put  up  at  Mrs.  Derby's. 

24.  Friday.  Mrs.  Gannett  and  Mrs.  Derby  call  a.  m. 
and  spend  an  hour.  Mr.  Gannett  and  I  go  and  spend 
part  of  the  evening  at  Mr.  Fisher's,  where  we  meet  with 
Bro.  Porter  ;  those  three  classmates 1  were  in  high  spirits 
at  the  meeting.     The  weather  was  fine  to-day. 

25.  Saturday.  A  summer-like  day.  Mrs.  Pynchon 
and  company,  Miss  Gerrish,  Mr.  Pickman,  and  Carpen- 
ter set  out  in  Newhall's  hack  for  Beverly,  and  to  go  over 
Danvers  new  bridge ;  W.  Pickman  and  W.  Cabot  and 
myself  walk  over,  and  take  tea  with  them  at  Mrs.  Hig- 
ginson's,  and  all  return  over  Essex  bridge  save  Mrs. 
Pynchon  ;  she  tarries  with  her  aunt  and  Mrs.  Cabot. 

26.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  I  am  kept  at  home  by  a  cold 
caught  in  passing  the  bridge  in  the  damp  evening.  Jno. 
came  home  from  M.  head,  and  set  out  in  a  carriage  for 
a  review  at  Braintree.  G.  Cabot  politely  invited  me  to 
dine  with  him  at  Beverly,  and  sent  his  servant  on  pur- 
pose to  ask  me  ;  I  could  not  go. 

27.  Monday.  A  cloudy  day.  The  military  companies 
and  great  numbers  went  for  Boston  for  the  review  at 
Braintree. 

28.  Tuesday.  The  militia  return  from  Braintree  to 
Boston.  Mrs.  P.  returns  from  Beverly  in  Mr.  Lee's  car- 
riage. 

30.  Thursday.  Excessively  cold  ;  people's  roots  were 
frozen  in  the  garret. 

31.  Friday.  Somewhat  more  moderate;  a  clear  day. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murray  here  to  see  us,  and  stayed  most  of 
the  forenoon.     Mr.  Grafton  here  before  noon  and  all  the 

1  Of  the  class  of  1763. 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  321 

afternoon  and  evening  ;  Mr.  Goodale  and  Amory  also 
here. 

November  I.  Saturday.  A  cold  morning,  but  clear. 
Stevens  brings  news  of  the  adjournment  of  the  Superior 
Court  to  December,  the  third  Tuesday,  to  the  joy  of 
many. 

2.  Sunday.  A  fine,  pleasant  day.  I  go  to  church 
a.  m.  Mr.  Grafton  here  after  church  upon  his  and  bro. 
Wood's  concerns. 

4.  Tuesday.  Mr.  Barnard  and  Mr.  Haraden  here 
about  Mr.  Diman's  will.  At  12  Mr.  Oliver  and  I  set 
out  to  visit  Mr.  Cutler,  returned  from  Muskingum. 

6.  Thursday.  Jas.  Diman,  witness  of  his  father's  will, 
examined. 

7.  Friday.  The  witnesses  examined  as  to  Mr.  Di- 
man's will.  A  fine  day  ;  some  clouds  and  wind  ;  rain  at 
evening. 

8.  Saturday.  Windy.  Judge  Greenleaf  writes  to 
Colo.  Hutchison  and  Capt.  Page  respecting  their  com- 
mission on  Waters'  estate,  and  to  make  return,  and  that 
the  Adm.  ought  to  discount  with  Mr.  Shillaber  and  me  ; 
on  seeing  them,  she  and  her  son  grew  high  and  provok- 
ing ;  Mr.  Shillaber  and  I  were  there  and  at  Mr.  Waters' 
a  considerable  time. 

10.  Monday.  Windy,  cloudy,  and  cold.  Mrs.  Gibbs, 
Curwen,  Mrs.  Paine,  and  others  spend  the  evening  here, 
also  Mr.  Gibbs,  at  cards.  At  9  I  go  to  Mr.  Goodale's  ; 
at  Club  till  past  10  ;  much  talk  of  Greenleaf's  trial  and 
of  Federal  Court. 

11.  Tuesday.  Bro.  Porter  calls.  It  rains  plentifully, 
and  the  wind  very  high  at  evening  ;  it  drove  in  Mr. 
Vans'  south  chamber  window  quite  across  the  chamber 
and  through  the  panels  of  the  door. 

13.  Thursday.  Cool  and  clear.  Mr.  Hichborn  and 
J.  Allen  and  Mr.  Rowe  at  Robinson's. 


322  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.     [November, 

1 6.  Sunday.  Mr.  Paine,  of  Worcester,  in  town.  We 
spend  the  evening  at  Dr.  Paine's. 

1 8.  Tuesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Mr.  Sparhawk  here, 
going  to  Boston  and  to  sail  for  London  in  Scot  the  latter 
end  of  next  week.  Mihi  gaudia  quanta  fnere  !  And  I 
am  to  direct  to  the  care  of  Isaac  Winslow,  merchant, 
Boston. 

19.  Wednesday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  T.  Goodale  takes 
me  in  his  chaise  to  Marblehead,  where  I  visit  Mr.  Hooper ; 
call  on  Messrs.  Mansfield  and  Sewall  ;  take  tea  at  Mr. 
Oliver's  ;  he  at  Boston. 

21.  Friday.  Cloudy,  and  rain  most  of  the  day.  Sergt. 
Daniels  gets  into  another  scrape,  and  escapes  from  the 
officer  and  warrant. 

23.  Sunday.  Cloudy,  and  rain.  I  tarry  at  home,  ill 
of  the  rheumatism.  I  send  to  Mr.  Bowdoin,  to  desire  a 
meeting  of  Wardens  and  Vestry  after  services  as  to  Mr. 
Deblois'  account  of  the  organ. 

24.  Monday.  Rain  and  clouds.  Mess.  Briant  and 
Vaughn  meet  at  my  office  at  ten  o'clock,  the  one  from 
Boston,  the  other  from  Portland,  upon  a  suit.  Mess. 
Cabot  and  Shillaber  meet  to  settle. 

26.  Wednesday.  Clouds  and  rain.  Mess.  Haraden 
and  Amory  call  about  Mr.  Diman's  will. 

27.  Thursday.  Rains  plentifully  this  morning,  as  it 
did  most  of  last  night,  and  lo,  the  gloominess  of  this 
Thanksgiving  day,  the  mists  and  clouds  impending  on 
all  our  publick  manoeuvres,  measures,  and  concerns.  We 
dine  to-day  at  Mr.  Goodale's,  and  John  goes  too.  At 
present  the  town  seems  generally  employed  about  Mr. 
Diman's  will  ;  they  condemn  it  as  unequal,  unfair,  and 
deceitful  in  the  testator,  and  in  his  family  and  legatees, 
in  excluding  his  daughter  Haraden,  and  would  have  it 
set  aside  as  being  made  when  he  was  under  the  legatee's 


1788.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCIION.  323 

influence,  advice,  and  direction  ;  .  .  .  suppose  it  was 
prefaced  with  these  influences,  and  that  his  devises 
were  made  upon  his  considering  of  these  influences  and 
advice,  would  it  be  worse,  or  more  illegal  ?  Mrs.  P.  and 
I  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's  with  W.  Cabot  and  Ab.  Gerrish. 

28.  Friday.  Wet  and  cloudy.  Mr.  Osgood,  Mrs. 
Dalton,  G.  Cabot,  F.  Cabot,  also  Mr.  Amory,  Mrs. 
Mellan. 

29.  Saturday,  At  eve.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vans  and  niece 
Langdon  were  here.  Mr.  Haraden,  Amory,  etc.,  at  the 
examination  of  witnesses  as  to  Mr.  Diman's  will. 

30.  Sunday.  Cloudy.  At  church  p.  m.  Lefavor  and 
Bowdoin  to  meet  at  eve.  upon  Mr.  Deblois'  demand  for 
the  organ. 

December  1.  Monday.  Rains  all  day.  I  go  to  Ips- 
wich on  affairs  of  Waters'  estate  for  W.  Shillaber  and 
myself  ;  also  on  concerns  of  Jas.  Diman  as  to  proof  of  his 
father's  will  ;  it  was  approved,  and  an  approval  claimed 
by  Haraden  ;  we  return  at  night. 

2.  Tuesday.  Cold  and  very  windy.  I  went  to  Mad. 
Lynde's  and  to  Mr.  Oliver's. 

3.  Wednesday.  Very  windy  and  cold  all  day.  At 
eve.  Mr.  Fisher  and  some  of  the  vestry  call  about  Mr. 
Deblois'  demand  for  the  organ.  Three  sailors  call  for 
wills  and  powers,  they  being  bound  with  Capt.  Lambert 
to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  having  paid  me  generously, 
as  they  supposed,  they  desired  me,  being  an  old  gentle- 
man, to  pray  for  them. 

4.  Thursday.  Windy  and  cold.  I  set  out  for  Boston 
in  S.  Williams'  chaise,  and  arrive  before  night ;  lodge  at 
Mrs.  Wetmore's  at  the  new  house  ;  find  them  all  well, 
dressing  for  the  Assembly. 

5.  Friday.  I  go  to  the  Governor's  to  see  Mrs.  Sewall 
from  St.  John  ;  I  meet  her  and  Mrs.  Hancock  together  ; 


324  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [December, 

the  Governor  ill  of  the  gout  in  his  chamber.  Last 
evening  I  spend  with  Dr.  Loring  et  ux.,  and  I  return 
home  at  night  in  a  snow-storm.  It  clears  up  by  8 
o'clock. 

6.  Saturday.  A  fair  day.  We  find  J.  G.'s  disposition 
to  knavery,  and  instead  of  leaving  goods  for  our  security, 
his  views  were  to  carry  them  off  with  him. 

7.  Sunday.  Cloudy  morning.  Mr.  Fisher  advises  to 
a  private  application  to  Mess.  Fisher  and  L.  Deblois  in 
London  respecting  church  debts,  and  respecting  the 
organ. 

8.  Monday.  Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  Divers  messages 
pass  between  J.  Grafton  et  ipse  as  to  the  goods  which 
were  attached.  At  length  Mr.  Sanders  gave  us  his 
covenant  to  indemnify  us  to  pay  off  the  goods  and  exon. 
on  notice. 

10.  Wednesday.  I  set  out  in  the  stage  with  Burrell 
and  five  others  ;  arrived  at  Boston  before  two  and  dined 
at  Mrs.  Wetmore's  ;  met  Mess.  Gorham  and  Lowell  at 
Mr.  Wetmore's  office  in  the  evening,  and  agree  on  a 
report  in  Apthorp  and  Bowdoin's  suit. 

11.  Thursday.  I  set  out  in  the  stage  from  Boston  at 
1/2  past  one  and  arrived  at  Salem  at  5.  The  Superior 
Court  continues  sitting  at  Boston,  and  slander  and 
ribaldry  go  on  briskly  in  the  newspapers. 

12.  Friday.  At  home  all  day.  Jno.  goes  to  Beverly 
on  Mrs.  Cabot's  business,  and  thence  to  Marblehead  in 
the  evening. 

14.  Sunday.     A  fair  day.      I  at  church  p.  m. 

15.  Monday.  Judge  Sewall  at  [the]  Club  at  Dr. 
Plummer's,  and  we  spend  a  pleasant  evening.  In  the 
morning  Jno.  sets  off  for  Lynnfield  after  Ste.  Rolfe, 
and  Justice  Perkins'  Court. 

16.  Tuesday.  A  very  fine  morning.  The  Superior 
Court  meet  to-day,  but  call  no  debtors  before  noon. 


1 7S8.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  325 

17.  Wednesday.  Snow,  and  is  very  windy  and  cold  ; 
the  ink  freezeth  in  the  office. 

19.  Friday.  Clear  and  cold  morning.  A  very  numer- 
ous company  at  the  ball  ;  the  aged  tarry  till  12  or  1,  the 
younger  till  3  and  4 ;  in  the  morning  the  Judges  and 
2  of  their  ladies  there. 

20.  Saturday.  Very  cold.  Mess.  Lowell  and  Atkins 
dine  with  me  on  fish.     The  Court  sit  in  the  evening. 

21.  Sunday.  All  tarry  at  home;  I  very  ill.  Mr. 
Lowell  spends  the  day  here.  Judges  Sargeant  and 
Sumner  and  his  lady  dine  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

22.  Monday.  The  Court  meet  at  eleven.  Mr.  Lowell 
spends  the  evening  with  the  Club  at  Mr.  Goodale's. 

23.  Tuesday.  Wind  So.  and  very  chilly.  The  Court 
(3  only)  sit  in  the  evening. 

24.  Wednesday.  Clear  and  cold.  I  spend  the  even- 
ing agreeably  at  Rea's,  Mr.  Sullivan's  lodgings  ;  he  in- 
vites me  to  go  with  him  to  see  Mr.  Adams  at  Braintree. 
This  evening  Ez.  Putnam's  cause  with  Middleton  is 
tried,  and  goes  in  favor  of  Middleton. 

25.  Thursday.  I  go  with  T.  Goodale  in  his  chaise  to 
Marblehead  ;  we  and  his  father  dine  at  Mr.  Oliver's 
with  Peggy  Orne.     The  music  at  church  is  very  fine. 

26.  Friday.  Cloudy  and  cold.  Court  sit  till  9  in  the 
evening. 

27.  Saturday.  Clear  and  cold.  Court  sit  [till]  six  in 
the  evening  and  adjourn  without  day  ;  more  suits  at 
this  term  (the  clerk  says)  than  ever  before  in  Essex 
Sup.  Court. 

28.  Sunday.  Stormy,  snow,  and  high  E.  wind.  J. 
Sumner,  Sargeant,  and  Lowell  go  out  of  town  at  9 ;  I 
have  a  bad  headache  and  tarry  at  home. 

31.  Wednesday.  Cloudy,  wet,  and  unpleasant.  Vans 
and  co.  set  out  for  the  General  Court. 


326  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.      [January, 

1789.  January  I.  Thursday.  A  very  fine  morning, 
clear  and  pleasant ;  as  Mr.  G.  says,  't  is  beautiful,  beau- 
tiful. Justice  Perkins  in  tribulation  as  to  fines.  I  go 
to  the  scholars'  exhibition,  under  Master  Harris,  and  am 
highly  entertained  with  parts  of  the  "  Haunted  House," 
acted  there.  I  send  Sheldon's  papers  to  Clerk  Cushing, 
Boston. 

2.  Friday.  A  fine,  clear  day,  but  cool.  Jno.  Pynchon 
sets  out  from  [his]  sick  room  for  Marblehead  to  defend 
the  rioters  in  the  Shimmington  affair,  and  returns  at 
evening  at  the  exhibition  by  the  rope  dancer  here. 

3.  Saturday.  Cloudy,  and  snow.  Jno.  goes  to  Mar- 
blehead again  for  the  rioters.  Wood  to-day  at  15/  to 
17/  per  cord. 

6.  Tuesday.  I  set  out  for  Wilmington  for  Foster  v. 
Rolfe,  a  reference. 

7.  Wednesday.  I  lodged  last  eve.  at  Mr.  Orne's,  and 
get  home  this  morning. 

9.  Friday.  Cold.  Provisions  in  plenty,  and  from  N. 
Hampshire. 

11.  Sunday.  A  cold  day.  I  go  to  church  all  day; 
mirum  !  Says  the  parson,  "  I  took  you  for  Dr.  Gould." 
Says  bro.  Porter,  "  You  certainly  have  on  the  deacon's 
wig."  Says  my  witty  brother,  "As  the  Dr.  wears  his 
hair  he  may  well  spare  his  wig."  Says  brother  .  .  .  , 
"  How  long  has  the  Dr.  wore  his  hair  ?  "  "  All  his 
days,"  says  brother  ...  "  How  came  he  ever  to  think 
of  getting  a  wig  ? "  "  'T  is  one  he  bought  at  vendue," 
says  brother  .  .  . 

12.  Monday.  Norris'  goods  seized  for  false  entry  and 
for  duties. 

13.  Tjiesday.  Jno.  goes  to  Boston  on  F.  Cabot's 
affair ;  lodges  at  Mr.  Lowell's. 

16.  Friday.  A  very  clear,  warm  day.  Wood  13/  to 
15/.     Mrs.  Ropes  spends  the  evening  here. 


1789.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  Z2J 

1 8.  Sunday.     A  fine  day.     I  at  church  p.  m. 

19.  Monday.  Cloudy  and  cool.  Plenty  of  wood,  the 
price  from  12/  to  14/,  oak. 

24.  Saturday.  J  no.  and  I  went  to  Mr.  Orne's  and 
took  tea,  and  returned  in  the  evening. 

25.  Sunday.  Snow,  and  N.  E.  wind.  I  go  to  church  ; 
Mr.  Wm.  Turner  at  church  in  my  pew  ;  he  took  tea  at 
my  house.  I  go  to  Mr.  Fisher's  in  the  evening,  and 
meet  there  Capt.  Ingersoll  and  Bro.  Porter.  The  Lt. 
Governor's  salary  of  ^160  pleaseth  neither  party. 

27.  Tuesday.     Some  snow.     Wood  at  11/  to  13/. 

28.  Wednesday.  Cloudy.  Mess.  Oliver  and  Amory 
dine  with  John.  At  evening  Mrs.  Higginson  here,  and 
gives  orders  as  to  W.  West. 

29.  Thursday.  Rain.  Town-meeting  for  choice  of 
Representatives;  there  were  521  voters;  B.  Goodhue, 
Esq.,  had  a  majority.  Neighbour  Wright  et  ux.,  Mrs. 
Vans,  and  her  niece  spend  the  evening  here  at  cards  ; 
bad  walking,  and  Peter  and  David  pushed  them  over  the 
way  in  the  sleigh. 

31.  Saturday.  Snow-storm,  and  N.  E.  wind.  Little 
doing  at  Gen'l  Court. 

February  1.  Sunday.  Clear  and  cold  ;  the  snow  con- 
siderably drifted.  Mr.  Goodale  here  in  the  evening. 
Jno.  returns  on  foot  from  Marblehead  ;  the  ways  im- 
passable with  horses. 

2.  Monday.  Extreme  cold  the  last  night.  Write  to 
Mr.  Sparhawk,  but  through  delay  miss  the  stage,  to  my 
great  disappointment ;  beware  of  delays  in  future  ;  my 
losses  by  delays  insupportable. 

3.  Tuesday.  Clear  and  cold.  Plenty  of  wood,  12/  for 
oak,  14/  for  walnut.  Mr.  Amory  and  Mr.  Turner's  son 
dine  with  John. 

4.  Wednesday.  Clear,  cold  morning,  but  cloudy  at 
noon.     Mr.  Ward,  of  Lancaster,  here  in  the  evening. 


328  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.    [February, 

5.  Thursday.  Clear  and  cold.  Mr.  Orne  comes  early 
in  the  morning  ;  sleeps  here.     Ball. 

6.  Friday.  The  company  small  at  ball  last  evening. 
Mr.  Apthorp  there  from  Halifax  ;  come  to  fight  More- 
ton. 

12.  Thursday.  Mr.  Oliver  comes  and  lodges  at  his 
father's.  Mrs.  Goodale  spits  up  blood,  and  is  much 
alarmed  and  weakened. 

15.  Sunday.  Cold  morning,  but  clear.  At  home  all 
day.  Mr.  T.  Cabot  with  us  in  the  afternoon,  with  an  ac- 
count of  his  tour  in  the  stage  to  and  from  N.  York.  Mr. 
Goodale  here,  and  none  else  in  the  evening. 

16.  Monday.  John  Pynchon  goes  to  Marblehead,  and 
carries  Garnet,  the  fiddler.  I  at  Madam  Lynde's  part  of 
the  evening. 

18.  Wednesday.  A  cold  day,  and  clear.  I  write  again 
to  Mr.  Hooper  for  adjustment. 

19.  Thursday.  Mr.  Oliver  returns  from  Boston,  and 
with  him  a  Mr.  Jones  ;  they  take  tea  and  go  to  Marble- 
head. 

20.  Friday.  Snow-storm ;  N.  E.  wind  ;  snow  much 
drifted.     Amory  and  Jno.  set  out  for  Gloucester. 

21.  Saturday.  Clear  and  moderate.  Mrs.  Abbot's 
daughter,  Priscilla,  dies  about  6  p.  m.,  her  only  child  ; 
all  her  earthly  hopes  were  concentrated  in  her,  and  fail 
at  once,  and  she  rendered  inconsolable. 

22.  Sunday.  Cloudy  and  warm ;  wet  walking,  and 
rain.  I  at  home  all  day.  In  the  evening  John  Pynchon 
returns  wet  and  fatigued  from  Newbury. 

27.  Friday.  Moderate  and  cloudy.  Capt.  Ramsdell 
dines  here  to-day. 

28.  Saturday.  Moderate  weather,  and  thaws,  but  the 
sledding  good,  and  wood  is  brought  in  plenty ;  many 
loads  remain  in  the  street  from  a.  m.  to  2  and  3  o'clock. 


1789.]  DIARY  OF   WILLIAM  PYNCHON.  329 

Mr.  Otis  calls  at  the  office  for  John,  not  yet  returned  ; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vans  and  Caty  set  out  for  Danvers  in  his 
sleigh. 

March  2.    Monday.    A  fine,  moderate  day.    John  goes 
to  Marblehead  on  Otis'  affair,  and  remains  all  night. 


On  the  Saturday  following  the  above  Monday,  my  father 
was  taken  in  the  morning  with  a  most  violent  fever,  supposed 
to  be  rheumatic;  he  continued  ill  until  Saturday,  the  14th; 
he  died  on  that  day  at  12  o'clock.  He  was,  during  his 
whole  illness,  attended  by  Drs.  Paine  and  Holyoke,  and  was 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  delirious.  His  memory  I  shall 
not  cease  to  cherish  while  my  heart  vibrates  with  a  spark  of 
life.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  a  very  numerous  and  most 
respectable  train  of  mourners  and  friends. 

j.  p. 


INDEX. 


Abbot,  Capt.,  279,  289. 

Abbot,  Colo.,  311,  316. 

Abbot,  G.,  156. 

Abbot,  J.,  204. 

Abbot,  Mr.,  193,  224,  235. 

Abbot,  Mrs.,  328. 

Abjuration,    Marblehead   men   take 

the  oath  of,  52. 
Adams,  John,  23,  50,  no,  134,  178, 

325- 

Adams,  Mr.,  119,  223,  251. 

Adams,  S.,  129. 

Adams,  review  of  his  book,  286. 

Addison's  simile  of  the  angel,  138. 

Admiralty,  John  Pynchon  to  be  pro- 
posed as  Judge,  128. 

Alcock,  75,  155;  presents  a  list  of 
persons  to  be  carted  out  of  town, 

3°- 
Allegiance,  oath  of,  49. 
Allen,  J.,  321. 
Allen,  Mr.,  284. 
Allen,  Mrs.,  84. 
Ambassadors,  English  and  French, 

withdraw    from    their   respective 

courts,  54. 
America,  20,000  men  coming  to,  81. 
American   Academy    of    Arts    and 

Sciences,  65. 
American  prisoners  released,  131. 
Ames,  Mr.,  157,  158. 
Amory,  William,  132,  146,  147,  161, 

184,  203,  208,  214,  2r  6,  219,  239, 

245>  259>  276,  292,  313,  315,  317, 

319,  321,  322,  323,  327,  328.  < 
Anderson,  Dr.,  85  ;  marries  Miss  D. 

Clark,  84 ;    news  of   capture  of, 

104. 
Anderson,  Mr.,  289,  301,  302. 
Anderson,  Mrs.,  4,  28,  202. 
Andover    rejects  the  confederation 

scheme,  47  ;   town   meeting  held 

at,  297. 


Andre,  Major,  executed,  76. 
Andrews,  Mr.,  201,  274. 
Andrews,  James,  184. 
Appleton,  Mr.,  27,  312. 
Apthorp,  Mr.,  314,  324,  328. 
Army,  burthen  of  raising   men  for 

the,  86 ;  recruits  for,  on  account 

of  Burgoyne,   39 ;    several  towns 

decline  to  raise  more  men  for  the, 

87. 
Arnold's  fleet  said  to  be  taken,  88. 
Arnold,    Gen.    B.,   2,    20,    76,    105 ; 

treachery  of,  74  ;    rumour  of  the 

arrest  of,  99  ;  defense  of   Salem 

against,  105. 
Ashley,  Mr.,  89. 
Ashton,  J.,  75,  230. 
Assembly  Rooms,  New,  139. 
Assembly,  Salem,  141,  142,  143,  146, 

148,  149,  163,  165,  169,  170,  171, 

i73>  l7$,  l77,  178,  181. 
Aston,  Mr.,  211. 
Atherton,  Joshua,  130,  173,  192,  246, 

247,  254,  285. 
Atkins,  Miss,  179. 
Atkins,  Mr.,  120,  130,  179,  207,  216, 

325- 
Atkins,  Mrs.,  134,  287. 
Atkinson,  Colo.,  183. 

Babson,  Capt.,  83. 
Bacon,  Mr.,  181,  201,  245. 
Baker,  Capt.,  205. 
Baker,  Mr.,  247. 
Balch,  Mr.,  52. 
Baldwin,  Mr.,  103,  265. 
Ballard,  Mr.,  279. 
Balsted,  Mr.,  232. 
Banks  enlists,  261. 
Barber,    Mr.,   insults    Justice    Wet- 
more,  130. 
Barker,  Mr.,  93. 
Barnard,  Mr..  16,  17,  27,  32,  27,  46, 


332 


INDEX. 


54,  64,  68,  70,  81,  84,  85,  93,  101, 
102,  105,  108,  114,  117,  118,  124, 
130,  141,  156,  169,  170,  175,  191, 
199,  200,  215,  216,  217,  218,  225, 
235,  238,  246,  253,  28S,  289,  310, 
312,  321. 

Baron,  Mr.,  going  to  Halifax,  46. 

Barrett,  Mr.,  12,  28,  115,  116,  117, 
169,  179,  203. 

Barrister,  writs  issued  for  the  degree 
of,  174. 

Barrow,  Dr.,  84. 

Bartlett,  J.,  50,  98,  108,  112,  114, 
118,  129,  131,  132,  139,  140,  142, 
143,  144,  145-  :47,  i5T>  !52.  154, 
i5S?  T56>  l63>  167,  172,  173,  174, 
175,  177,  178,  193,  195,  205,  211, 
226,  238,  257,  266,  270,  272,  273, 

277.  3°9>  3*9- 
Bartlett,  Mr.,  1. 
Barton,  Mrs.,   139,  234;  funeral  of, 

175- 

Bass,    Rev.    Edward,  99,   136,   218, 

287. 
Batchelder,  Judge,  107,  171,  203. 
Beadle,  Mr.,  112,  153. 
Beal,  Mr.,  247. 
Bean,  Mrs.,  14. 

Bearers  at  Mrs.  Sargent's  funeral,  83. 
Beck,  Mr.,  128. 
Beck,  Mrs.,  122. 

Bedford  burned  by  the  Regulars,  57. 
Belknap,  Mr.,  insolence  of,  118. 
Bell,  Mr,  67. 
Bennington,  battle  of,  36  ;  prisoners 

taken  at,  36. 
Bentley,    Mr.,    121,    124,    132,    144, 

156,  161,  163,  170,   180,  181,  235, 

250,  281. 
Berkshire,  insurgents  in,  275. 
Besom,  Mr.,  T48. 
Beverly,   inoculation  begun  at,  31 ; 

small-pox  at,  31  ;  rejoicing  at,  151. 
Bickford,  Mr.,    175,    176,    1S2,  202, 

277,  306. 
Blanchard,  Mr.,  211. 
Blaney,  Mr.,   80,  82,  91,   102,   113, 

114,  115,  117,  119,  121,  134,  153, 

173,  183,  185,  186,  188,  1S9,  194, 

!9S>  J97,  198,  I99>  20°>  2°3>  207, 
2ii,  218,  221,  222,  236, 313  ;  death 
of  Mrs.,  21. 

Bliss,  Mr.,  224,  291,  293,  294. 

Blodget,  Mr.,  16. 

Blue  Laws,  why  so  called,  291. 


Blyth,  S.,  23,  in,  141,  171,  197,200, 
239,  254,  286,  315,  316. 

Blyth,  Mrs.,  death  of,  284. 

Boardman,  Mr.,  257. 

Boden,  Mr.,  179,  195. 

Bond,  Mrs.,  322. 

Bonnet,  John,  45. 

Borland,  Dr.,  169. 

Boston,  preparations  to  bombard,  4  ; 
orders  not  to  attack,  4  ;  Regulars 
about  to  leave,  5  ;  firing  of  cannon 
heard  at,  6  ;  embarkation  of  troops 
at,  6  ;  American  troops  take  pos- 
session of,  6 ;  rejoicing  over  sur- 
render of  Burgoyne,  41  ;  fleet  go 
into,  56 ;  mob  and  riot  at,  57  ; 
great  fire  in,  276. 

Bott,  Mr.,  194,  26S. 

Bourn,  Mr.,  280. 

Bourn,  Mrs.,  57,  134. 

Bowditch,  Joseph,  death  of,  74. 

Bowditch,  Mr.,  76,  80,  221. 

Bowdoin,  Gov.,  27,  60,  65,  153,  190, 
248  ;  resignation  of  seat  in  Senate, 
78. 

Bowdoin,  Mr.,  324. 

Bowen,  Nathan,  dies,  21. 

Bowie,  Capt,  8. 

Bowles,  Mr.,  295. 

Boyce,  Dr.,  279. 

Bradbury,  Mr.,  162,  166,  195,  223, 
225,  226. 

Bradbury,  Judge,  291. 

Bradish,  Mr.,  240,  249,  316. 

Bradshaw,  Mr.,  225. 

Bradstreet,  S.,  234. 

Bray,  Mr.,  161. 

Breck,  Mr.,  187. 

Breed,  Mr.,  264. 

Brewer,  Dr.,  301. 

Brewer,  Mrs.,  104. 

Brian  taken  up  as  prisoner,  8^. 

Bridge  over  Beverly  ferry  to  be 
erected,  290. 

Brimmer,  Mr.,  13,  25,45,  53. 

Britain,  Mr.  Vans'  remarks  upon, 
68. 

British  fleet  returns  to  New  York, 
91. 

British  troops,  embarkation  of,  at 
New  York,  70. 

Britton,  Mr.,  71,  123,  166,  256,  257, 
262,  277. 

Bromfield,  Mr.,  7,  12,  65,  in,  136, 
214,  215. 


INDEX. 


333 


Brookhouse,  Mr.,  201. 

Brooks,  Mr.,  married  to  Miss  Hath- 

orn,  82. 
Brooks,  General,  289 ;   oration  by, 

in  Boston,  before  the  Cincinnati, 

2S0. 
Browne,  Gen'l,  311. 
Browne,  William,  85,  154,  183,  263. 
Browne,  Mrs.,  7,  196,  197,  198,  200, 

201,  228,  229. 
Browne,  Miss,  197,  199,  200. 
Browne,  W.  B.,  78,  104,  157. 
Browne,  Mrs.,    189,   191,   228,   274, 

287. 
Browne,  Colo.,  of  Wenham,  25,  52, 

91,  166,  167,  171,  234. 
Browne,  Mrs.,  death  of,  105. 
Browne,  Capt,  7. 
Browne,  John,  176,  179. 
Browne,  Nathan,  222,  223. 
Browne,  Samuel,  83. 
Browne,  Mrs.  R.,  206. 
Browne,  Nathaniel,  death  of,  54. 
Browne,   Mr.,   goes  to  Marblehead 

with  warrants  against  those  who 

refuse  the  oath  of  allegiance,  51. 
Browne,  Justice,  285. 
Brown  College,  157. 
Brunswick,  skirmish  at,  30. 
Bryant,  Mr.,  322. 
Brutus  brings  in  a  privateer  sloop, 

91. 
Buffinton,  Capt.,  104,  236,  273,  289. 
Bufton.  Polly,  297. 
Bufton,  Tom,  8,  33. 
Bunker's  Hill,  rumour  of  battle  at,  1. 
Burgoyne,  Gen'l,  coming  to  Boston, 

29  ;  defeated,  39,  40 ;   surrender, 

41  ;  arrives  at  Charlestown,  44. 
Burke,  Mr.,  4,  23,  81,  192. 
Burnham,  Mr:,  138. 
Burrell,  214,  228,  235,  243,  249,  270, 

292,  295,  296,  299,  305,  309,  324. 
Butler.  Mr.,  107,  in,  113,  224,  260. 
Byron's   fleet,   arrival   of,    at    New 

York,  56. 

Cabot,  Andrew,  19,  48,  229,  254, 
257,  273,  293. 

Cabot,  Mrs.  Joseph,  makes  her  will, 
103  ;  funeral  of,  109. 

Cabot,  Francis,  89,  101,  105,  122, 
154,  160,  166,  192,  201,  227,  236, 
238,  244,  245,  248,  261,  265,  267, 
293>3o6>  3IO>  3^,  323>  326. 


Cabot,  Mrs.  Francis,  death  of,  316. 
Cabot,  Mr.,  37,  45,  54,  61,  81,  83,  89, 
107,  108,  113,   114,  124,  130,   152, 

153.  159.  r7°,  182,  183,  191,  193, 

194,  195,  203,  208,  224,  225,  226, 
227,  230,  231,  233,  234,  235,  240, 
247,  250,  253,  258,  273,  307,  315, 
3i7,322. 

Cabot,  Mrs.,  13T,  138,  152,  257,  305, 
320,  324;  sells  her  house,  131  ; 
removes  to  Beverly,  171  ;  funeral 
of,  215. 

Cabot,  G.,  257,  268,  292,  320,  323. 

Cabot,  Mrs.  G.,  218,  305. 

Cabot,  John,  23,  208  n.,  257,  328. 

Cabot,  John  Sebastian,  208  n. 

Cabot,  R.,  286. 

Cabot,  Reb.,  297,  308. 

Cabot,  Mrs.  R.,  171,  208,  294,  296. 

Cabot,  S.,  17,  103,  166. 

Cabot,  T.,  154,  160. 

Cabot,  Titus,  103. 

Cabot,  W.,  25,  27,  47,  49,  53,  105, 

154,  160,  195,  196,  202,  210,  211, 
232,  237,  238,  239,  243,  245,  246, 
249,  253,  254,  262,  265,  267,  268, 
270,  275,  277,  282,  288,  291,  293, 
317,  320,  323. 

Cabot,  F.,  funeral  of  a  child  of,  238. 
Carets,  Salem  muster,  279. 
Calahan,  Capt.,  169,   170,   193,  194, 

195,213,  287. 
Calet,  Mr.,  307. 
Calef,  son  of  Dr.,  81. 
Cambridge,  festivities  at,  162. 
Camden,  Fort,  taken  by  Gen'l  Green, 

93>  95- 

Campbell,  Colo.,  committed  to  Con- 
cord jail,  24. 

Carleton,  Gen'l,  arrives  at  Crown 
Point,  33. 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  letter  of,  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  as  to  exchange 
of  prisoners,  131  ;  action  of  Con- 
gress thereon,  132  ;  kindness  of, 
to  his  prisoners,  146. 

Carlton,  arrested  for  breaking  win- 
dows, 97. 

Carnes,  Capt.,  104,  143. 

Carpenter,  Mrs.,  46,   131,  158,  194, 

195,  202,  203,  211,  226,  238,  239, 
320. 

Carr,  Mr.,  189. 

Carrell,  Mr.,  272,  276. 

Cary,  Mr.,  77,  239,  248,  249,  287. 


334 


INDEX. 


Cary,  N.,  trial  of,  13  ;  banished,  14; 

carted  out  of  town,  28. 
Casco  Bay,  expedition  to,  98. 
Castle,  burning  of  the  block-house 

at,  6. 
Catlin,  Mr.,  89. 
Chace,  Miss,  189,  240,  241,  308,  310, 

3"-' 

Chace,  S.,  248,  249,  254. 

Chadwell,  Mrs.,  18. 

Chandler,  Mrs.,  197. 

Chandler,  Sheriff,  97. 

Chapman,  Mr.,  174,  203. 

Charier,  Mons.,  2,3- 

Charleston,  insurance  on,  65,  66; 
rumour  of  surrender  of,  65. 

Charlestown  bridge,  opening  of,  241. 

Chauncy,  Capt.,  300. 

Chauncy,  Dr.,  268. 

Chauncy,  Mr.,  299,  300,  301. 

Cheever,  D.,  214,  240,  241. 

Cheever,  Major,  176. 

Chemsford,  Mr.,  176. 

Chickering,  Mr.,  185. 

Chipman,  John,  1. 

Choate,  Mr.,  246. 

Church,  St.  Peter's,  baptism  at,  143. 

Church  clergy,  convention  of,  219. 

Churchill,  Mr.,  153. 

Cincinnati,  Gen'l  Brooks  before  the, 
280. 

Clarke,  F.,  216. 

Clarke,  Mr.,  153,  173,  193,  202,  203, 
226,  264,  271. 

Clarke,  Dr.,  18. 

Clark,  Mrs.  Anne,  dies,  199. 

Cleaveland,  Capt.,  23,  37. 

Cleaveland,  Justice,  285. 

Cleveland,  Mr.,  239. 

Clough,  Sarah,  jumps  from  a  win- 
dow, 126. 

Culloden  cast  away  at  Rhode  Isl- 
and, 86. 

Cunningham,  Mr.,  153. 

Currency,  Congress  written  to  by 
Gen.  Court,  97. 

Curtis,  Mr.,  182,  190. 

Cushing,  C,  263. 

Cushing,  J.,  nominated  for  Superior 
Court,  127. 

Cushing,  Judge,  1,  200,  225, 255,  291. 

Cushing,  Judge  N.,  127. 

Cushing,  Lt.  Gov.,  90. 

Cushing,  Mr.,  326. 

Cutler,  Mr.,  222,  231. 


Cutts,  Mr.,  106,  177,  216. 

Cutts,  Mrs.,  106. 

Coburn,  Mr.,  17. 

Cockle,  Mr.,  119,  120,  121,  123,  124, 
138,  245. 

Cole,  Mr.,  239. 

Coleman,  Mr.,  letter  to,  11,  105. 

College,  proposed  in  Nova  Scotia, 
160. 

Commencement  at  Cambridge,  100, 
129,  156,  187,  217,  244,  281,  312. 

Conant,  Mr.,  170. 

Concert  for  the  poor,  142. 

Concert  in  new  Assembly  Room, 
140. 

Condy,  Mr.,  303,  306. 

Confederation  scheme  rejected,  47. 

Congress  at  Vienna,  98. 

Congress  prepares  for  a  general  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  132. 

Congress,  soldiers  disturb,  156. 

Constitution,  new  plan  of,  for  Massa- 
chusetts, 46  ;  ridiculed  in  the 
newspapers,  53 ;  General  Court 
vote  in  favor  of  new,  290  ;  vote  on 
the  new,  298. 

Continental  army,  draughting  for,  30. 

Continental  bills,  credit  of,  doubtful, 
101. 

Convention  in  Boston,  295 ;  of  church 
clergy,  219,  223. 

Cook,  Mr.,  21,  189,  244,  287,  310. 

Coombs,  239,  241,  242,  261. 

Cooper,  Dr.  S.,  17,  78,  156,  173; 
death  of,  170. 

Copp's  Hill,  mob  at,  34. 

Cornwallis,  rumours  regarding,  92  ; 
surrender  of,  109. 

Corsicans,  rumour  of  English  ex- 
pedition in  favor  of,  100. 

Cosset,  Mr.,  99. 

Cotnam,  Mrs.,  83,  122,  150,  219. 

Cotton,  Mrs.,  152. 

Court,  attempt  to  terrorize  the,  at 
Amherst,  127. 

Court  dines  with  Mr.  Pynchon,  136; 
with  Mr.  Wetmore,  167;  with  Mr. 
Pickering,  167. 

Court,  General,  sits  on  matters  re- 
lating to  Vienna  Congress,  100. 

Courts,  town  meeting  for  removing, 
161. 

Court  meets  in  school-house,  46. 

Court  house  in  Salem  to  be  rebuilt, 
217. 


INDEX. 


335 


Court  attacked  at  Concord,  249 

Court,  procession  of  the,  176. 

Court,  Superior,  appointment 
Judge,  81. 

Coy,  Mr.,  230. 

Cranch,  Mr.,  134. 

Cruger  and  Co.,  failure  of,  201. 

Curwen,  Samuel,  46,  85,  113, 
153.  '54,  155.  J70,  177,  1S2, 
184,  187,  193,  194,  195,  196, 
200,  201,  203,  204,  207,  209, 
213,  218,  224,  226,  228,  253, 
274,  275,  281,  287,  293,  297, 

Curwen,  Mrs.,  108,  117,  196, 
203,  229,  282,  321. 

Cutler,  Mr.,  2. 


of  a 


151. 
183, 

197, 
212, 

263, 
312. 
IQQ, 


Dabney,  Mr.,  235,  250. 

Ualand,  B.,  78,  166,  169,  179,  199, 

200,  210,  240,  260,  266,  267,  268, 

269,  270,  271,  294,313. 
Dale,  Mr.,  2s6. 
Dalgleish,  Mr.,  166,  170. 
Dalton,  Mr.,  223. 
Dalton,  Mrs.,  323. 
Dana,   R.,   134,   205,  225,   247,  254, 

272. 
Dana,  Miss,  104. 
Dana,  Mrs.,  104. 

Danbury,  Regulars  marching  on,  29. 
Dance  at  Assembly  Rooms,  144 ;  at 

Trademan's  Hall,  141. 
Dane,  Mr.,  153,  168,  216,  256,  299. 
Danforth,  Mr.,  121. 
Daniel,  convicted  of  manslaughter, 

79; 

Daniels,  Serg't,  322. 

Danvers,  robberies  in,  182. 

Dark  day,  account  of,  63. 

Darrah,  Mr.,  176,  254. 

Dartmouth,  prize  carried  into,  21. 

Dauphin,  birth  of,  125. 

Davenport,  Mr.,  163,  188,  223,  247, 
248,  254. 

Davis,  B.,  15. 

Davis,  Capt.,  310. 

Davis,  John,  129. 

Davis,  Mr.,  128,  1^6,  1^2,  217,  286, 
296. 

Davis,  Mrs.,  152. 

Davis,  Sol.,  133. 

Davis,  Thomas,  25. 

Dawking,  Mr.,  175. 

Dawson,  Engagement  of  the  crui- 
ser, 4. 


Day,  Mr.,  265,  266,  269. 

Dean,  Mr.,  53,  61. 

Deblois,  G.,  25,  308,  310,  315,  322. 

Deblois,  L.,  215,  216,  219,  323,  324. 

Deblois,  Mr.,  194,  196,  235,  245,  246. 

Deblois,  Stephen,  160. 

Deblois,  \V.,  292. 

Declaration  of  Independence  read 
from  the  town  house,  12  ;  re- 
marks on,  10. 

Deerfield  instructs  its  representa- 
tives to  compound  with  Great 
Britain,  86  ;  resentment  in,  at  the 
treatment  of  their  representative, 
159- 

De  Grasse,  Count,  news  of  capture 
of,  125. 

Delaware,  Regulars  advance  on,  32. 

Dennis,  Mr.,  84,  192. 

Depreciation  law,  news  o'f  the,  75. 

Derby,  Capt.,  72,  83,  100,  107,  125, 
128,  133,  136,  148,  162,  208  ;  prize 
of,  retaken,  15  ;  scramble  for  his 
coffee,  29. 

Derby,  John,  27,  57,  5S,  102,  213, 
217,  231,  281,  288. 

Derby,  Haskett.  27,  94,  101;,  140, 
144,  I53>  2°2-  2°3>  20S,  244";  314. 

Derby,  Mrs.  H-,  164,  198,  226,  239, 
320. 

Derby,  Richard,  89,  277,  279  ;  death 
of,  112  ;  funeral  of,  166. 

D'Estaing,  arrival  of,  with  fleet,  55  ; 
destroys  stven  ships  of  the  line, 
87 ;  this  account  proves  to  be 
false,  88. 

Deveraux,  Abigail,  marrred  to  Mr. 
Sewall,  112. 

Dexter,  Dr.,  installed  at  Cambridge, 
162. 

Dexter,  Mr.,  179. 

Diamond,  Miss,  105,  179. 

Diamond,  Mr.,  145. 

Diamond,  Mrs.,  105. 

Dickinson,  Mr.,  22,  217. 

Diman,  Rev.  Mr.,  36,  47,  52,  231, 
235,  2S8. 

"  Distracted  Mother,"  play  of,  142. 

Doane,  Colo.,  100,  234. 

Doctors'  Mob,  305. 

Dodge,  Capt.,  house  of,  on  fire,  23. 

Dodge,  Gen'l,  193. 

Dodge,  G.,  27,  45,  214,  236. 

Dodge,  Mr.,  131,  152,  171,  206,  234, 
256. 


33$ 


INDEX. 


Dodge,  Mrs.,  68,  145. 

Donatti,  Mr.,  173. 

Dormer,  Mr.,  163,  173,  176,  183. 

Douglass,  Mr.,  8. 

Dove,  Mrs.,  148. 

Downing,  Major,  271. 

Dowse,    Mr.,  25,   6S,  99,   105,   119, 

130,    166,   182,   212,  220;  funeral 

of,  206. 
Dowst,  N.,  17,  21,  76,  93,  in,  116, 

117,    131  ;     a    bearer    at    Judge 

Lyr.de's  funeral,  10S. 
Doyle,  Mr.,  175. 
.Draughting,  warning  for,  36. 
Duought,  great,  70,  72. 
Drui;v,  Colo.,  265. 
Duchneld,  Tom,  125. 
Duckerfierd/Yom,  28. 
Dudley,  Go  v.,  83. 
Dunbar,  Mr.,  30,  4^,.  4S,  49,  52,  54, 

57,  60,89,  121,  130,  143. 
Dunbar,  Mrs.,  ^7. 
Durkee,  Major,  47. 
Dutch  demands  against  England  af- 
fect negotiations,  133. 
Dutch  ship  lost  in  the  bay,  167. 
D wight,  Henry,  294. 
D wight,  Jonathan,  301. 
D wight,  Thomas,  144,  301. 
Dwight,  Mr.,  135,  136,  1C1,  216,224. 
D wight,  Mrs.,  294,  295,  3(01. 
Dyar,  Judge,  301, 

Eagle,  privateer,  73. 

Eaton,  Mr.,  239.  248. 

Eclipse,  viev  of,  at  Penobscot,  81. 

Edgecom'j,  Jared,  292. 

Edwards,  Mr.,  218. 

Election  day,  96  ;  no  parade,  96. 

Election  matters,  gloomy,  124. 

Election  of  Governor,  77. 

Eliot,  Dr.  Andrew,  4,  14,  18,  36,  59, 

76,  93,  101,  135,  152,  186,  188,  193, 

231,  246. 
Eliot,  Mrs.,  103. 
Elliot,  Rev.  John,  137. 
Ellery,  Mr.,  102. 
Ely,  B.,  175,  224,  294. 
Ely,    Parson,    rescue  of,  from  jail, 

126. 
Embargo,  preparing  for,  53. 
Emerton,  Mr.,  184. 
Emery,  Mr.,  49,  54,  127. 
Emery,  Teresa,  230  n. 
Emerson,  Mr.,  34,  163. 


Emission,  bills  of  new,  value  of,  100 ; 

depreciation  of,  100. 
Endicott,   Mr.,    140,    143,   177,   210, 

280. 
Engagement  between   English   and 

French  gunship,  104 
English  and  French  fleets,  rumours 

regarding,  107. 
English  expedition  in  favour  of  Cor- 

sicans,  100. 
English  fleet,  arrival  at  New  York, 

133- 

English  troops  return  to  New  York, 

for  Newport,  70. 
Enterprise,   taken    and    carried    to 

Halifax,  60. 
Epes,  W.,  87,  221. 
Erskin,  Mr.,  181. 
Ervins,  Mr  ,  270. 
Erwin,  trial  of,  13. 
Erwin,  Major,  281. 
Erwin,  Gov.  Hancock's  house,  etc., 

attached  by,  183. 
Essex   bridge,    visit   to,  317  ;  com- 
pletion of,  317. 
Estey,  Mr.,  82,  168,  221,  241. 
Esty,  Daniel,  279. 
Exchange    of    prisoners,    Congress 

prepares  for  general,  132. 
Exchange,  rate  of,  in  Philadelphia, 

91 ;  in  Boston,  95. 
Expedition  to  Rhode  Island,  56. 
Extortion,  dissatisfaction  at  country- 

mens',  52. 

Fairfield,    iooo  regulars    landed 

at,  29. 
Fairfield,   Mr.,   101,    103,    107,    111, 

200. 
Fame,  arrival  of  the,  at  Amsterdam, 

72  ;  anxiety  about,  -/^  '■>  doubts  as 

to   her  whereabouts,   79 ;    report 

concerning,  83. 
Farmers,    contest    between    Salem 

traders  and  farmers,  24. 
Farrar,  Mr.,  225. 
Farley,  Gen'l,  9,  99,  119,   14S,  149, 

233,  241,  253. 
Farley,  Mr.,  221,  261,  2S0,  287,  304, 

310. 
Farmers,  extortion  of  the,  52. 
Farnam,  Mr.,  287. 
Farnham,  Daniel,  1. 
Fast  day,  23,  29,  93,  121,  1S0. 
Felt,  John,  death  of,  205. 


IXDEX. 


337 


Felt,  B.,  284. 
Felt,  Mr.,  254. 
Fenno,  Mr.,  241,  262. 
Fisher,  9,  79,  no,  11  r,  113,  115, 116, 
117,  118,  119,  121,  122,   124,   130, 

i3r>  *33>  J35>  137,  i38>  *39>  T4i, 
142,  145,  146,  151,  153,  155,  160, 
168,  170,  172,  177,  180,  181,  186, 
192,  193,  197,  198,  218,  221,  223, 
228,  230,  231,  234,  236,  237,  238, 
239,244,  249,  253,  255,  256,  271, 
279,  281,  283,  284,  285,  286,  287, 
294,  304,  305,  309,  314,  323,  324, 

327- 

Fisher,  Capt.,  98. 

Fisheries,  Congress  instructed  as  to, 
114. 

Fishermen  refuse  to  pay  taxes,  228. 

Fiske,  Colo.,  34,  315. 

Fiske,  Mr.,  40,  138,  239. 

Fiske,  Miss,  buried,  222. 

Fitch,  Mr.,  134,  167,  179,  191. 

Flagg,  Mr.,  91,  224,  295. 

Fleet,  English,  arrival  of,  at  New 
York,  56 ;  equals  that  of  the 
French  in  Rhode  Island,  60. 

Fleet,  Spanish,  on  the  coast,  57. 

Flint,  Joseph,  177,  210,  303. 

Flint,  Mr.,  55,  56,  145,  152. 

Floyd,  Mr.,  28,  49,  53. 

Fogarty,  Mr.,  116,  203,  204,  220. 

Folger,  Mr.,  64. 

Foot,  Zeck,  152. 

Forbes,  Mr.,  94,  176. 

Ford,  Mr.,  burial  of,  in  churchyard, 
100. 

Ford,  Mrs.,  buried,  291. 

Fort,  dinner  at  the,  102. 

Fort  Edward  taken  by  Americans, 
39. 

Foster,  Capt.,  5,8,  20,  153,  154,  166. 

Foster,  Mr.,  takes  the  oath  of  ab- 
juration, 52. 

Foster,  Mr.,  139,  153,  190,  246,  313, 
326. 

Foster,  Robert,  282. 

Foster,  W.,  166. 

Fox,  frigate,  taken,  34. 

France,  preparations  in,  to  aid 
America,  14;  continental  bills 
credited  in,  28  ;  enters  into  alli- 
ance with  United  States,  53  ;  fa- 
vours American  Independence, 
53  ;  recommends  moderate  meas- 
ures as  to  refugees'  estates,  178. 
22 


Franklin,  Dr.,  rumour  of  the  assas- 
sination of,  50. 

Fraser,  Mr.,  2,  40,  166. 

Freeman's  ordination,  protest 
against,  295. 

Free  Masons'  ball,  141  ;  keep  St. 
John's  day  at  church,  82. 

French  fleet,  arrival  of,  at  Rhode 
Island,  68;  news  of  in  Georgia, 
80  ;  takes  English  ships,  80  ;  go 
into  Boston,  97. 

French  gunship  goes  ashore,  132. 

French  and  English  fleets,  rumours 
regarding,  107. 

French  ships  go  into  Boston,  56. 

Frenchman,  Mr.,  235. 

Frost,  Mr.,  221. 

Frye,  Colo.,  85,  126,  160,  171,  177, 
181,  184,  211,  226,  287. 

Frye,  Peter,  287  ;  house  of,  searched, 
21  ;  to  be  shot,  38  ;  reprieved,  39. 

Frye,  Mrs.,  humour  of,  103. 

Fuller,  suit  of,  165,  166. 

Fuller,  T.,  284. 

G allison,  Mr.,  160,  187,  204. 
Gallison,  Miss,  57,  148. 
Gannet,  Mr.,  102,  135,  144,  320. 
Gannet,  Mrs.,  320. 
Gardiner,  Dr.  Sylvester,  87. 
Gardner,  H.,  95,  282,  284. 
Gardner,   Capt.   John,   75,   So ;  his 

death,  172. 
Gardner,  Capt.  Jonathan,  death  of, 

169.  .  », 

Gardner,   Jonathan,    207,    236,   261, 

280. 
Gardner,  Mr.,  253,  284. 
Gardner,  Mrs.,  210. 
Gardner,  Mrs.  Ab.,  death  of,  87. 
Gardner,  W.,  27. 
Garnet,  Mr.,  328. 
Gatchell,  Deacon,  [51,  152,  311. 
Gates,  Gen'l,  39,  y^. 
Gay,  Mr.,  189. 
Gee,  Mr.,  186. 
Gerrish,  Ab.,  291. 
Gerrish,  Capt.,  28. 
Gerrish,  Cabot,  t>7  ',  death  of,  ^8. 


Gerrish,   Mi 


:S. 


60,   118,  159, 


192,  229,  236,  258,  259,  275,  296, 

308. 
Gerrish,  Mrs.,  247,  293. 
Gerrish,  Miss,  17,  32,  198,  201,  202, 

24  s,  246,  253,  262,  323. 


338 


INDEX. 


Gerrish,  S.,  264. 

Gerry,  Colo.,  49,  231,  270. 

Gibbs,  Mr.,  321. 

Gibbs,  Mrs.,  321. 

Gibraltar  relieved  by  the  British 
fleet,  96. 

Giles,  Mr.,  14. 

Gill,  Mr.,  232,  262. 

Gilson,  Dr.,  breaks  out  of  Plymouth 
jail,  4. 

Glover,  Colo.,  35,  181,  233,  282. 

Glover,  Mr.,  125,  161,  286,  289,  292. 

Gloucester,  a  fleet  of,  35  ;  rejoicings 
at,  41. 

Gold,  Mr.,  306. 

Good,  Mr.,  230. 

Goodale,  F.,  271,  286,  309,  322,  325. 

Goodale,  N.,  15,  28,  70,  75,  81,88, 
92,  94,  97,  100,  101,  102,  104,  107, 
113,  115,  116,  117,  128,  131,  133, 
135'  I37>  J39>  Mo,  i43»  J54,  168, 
169,  170,  174,  175,  179,  182,  185, 
186,  192,  193,  195,  196,  198,  201, 
206,  209,  212,  214,  216,  221,  225, 
226,  227,  228,  230,  231,  236,  237, 
238,  242,  243,  244,  254,  255,  257, 
264,  265,  267,  270,  273,  278,  286, 
288,  291,  292,  293,  304,  3°5>3II> 
312,  313,  316,  317,  318,  321,  322, 

323>  325-  327,  328. 
Goodale,   Mrs.,   62,    130,    151,    159, 

164,  165,  166,  196,  222,  266,  279, 

282,  285,  306,  309,  328. 
Goodale,  Miss  P.,  306. 
Goodhue,  Mr.,   11,  18,  27,  76,  167, 

173,  191,  200,  202,  208,  214,  225, 

230,  239. 
Goodhue,  Mr.  B.,  327. 
Goodrich,  Mr.,  299  n. 
Goodwin,  Mr.,  235. 
Gordon  Riot  in  London,  72. 
Gott,  Samuel,  17S. 
Gould,  Dr.,  326. 
Gould,  Mr.,  204. 
Governor  to  hold  office  for  3  years, 

5°- 

Grafton,  Mr.,  15,  133,  137,  140,  143, 
147,  167,  168,  177,  191,  206,  207, 
213,  220,  228,  231,  236,  240,  242, 
252,  257,  277,  279,  284,  288,  292, 
295*  304,  305.  306,  308,  313.  3 1 5» 
318,  320,  321,  324;  marriage  of, 
303  ;  death  of  Joshua,  289. 

Grafton,  Mrs.,  148,  305,  306. 

Grafton,  S.,'289. 


Grafton,  Duke  of.  2. 

Graham,  Mr.,  222,  254,  259,  261,  272, 

309.  324. 
Grand  Turk  takes  a  prize,  101. 
Grant,  Mrs.,  2. 

Graves,  Admiral,  departure  of,  3. 
Graves,  Mr.,  224,  247. 
Gray,  Dr.,  175. 
Gray,  Mr.,  67,  119,  202,  306. 
Gray,  Mrs.,  279,  295. 
Gray,  W.,  41,  188. 
Great  Barrington,  threats  of  mob  at, 

250. 
Green,  Mr.,  207. 
Green,  Mr.,  trial  of,  13  ;  carted  out 

of  town,  28. 
Greene,    General,    88,    no;    takes 

Fort  Camden,  97. 
Greenleaf,  Mr.,  n,  13,  14,  105,  152, 

184,  234,  247,  258,  274,  275,  276, 

3X9>  321. 
Greenwood,  Mr.,  13,  66,  72,  81,  86, 

87,   101,   103,   104,  139,  142,  217, 

226,  227,  233. 
Greenwood,  Mrs.,  81,  104,  132. 
Gregory,  Mr.,  232. 
Gridley,  Colo.,  80. 
Gridley,  Mr.,  104,  174,  191,  232,  237, 

263. 
Gridley,  Mrs.,  104. 
Griffin,  Colo.,  comes  to  Salem,  105. 
Griffin,  Dr.,  319. 
Guardogin,  Mr.,  28. 
Gunship,  loss  of,  167. 
Gutridge,  Mr.,  299,  300. 

Habeas    Corpus    Act    suspended, 

88 
Haley,  Mr.,  183. 
Haley,  Mrs.,  187,  188. 
Hall,  J.,  172. 
Hall,  Mr.,  199,  234. 
Halifax,  proposal  for  bishop  of,  160. 
Hancock,  John,  54,  55,  78,  82,  83, 

90,  92,  129,  297,  305,  318  ;  chosen 

governor,  77  ;  proposes  to  resign, 

205  ;  visits  Salem,  315. 
Hancock,  Mrs.,  323. 
Handly,  H.,  260. 
Hannah,  condemnation  of  the  Little, 

23- 
Haraden,  execution  of,  310. 

Haraden,  Capt.  Jonathan,  37,   no, 

118,  178,  1S7,  188,  195,  200,  215. 

Haraden,  Mr.,  321,  322,  233- 


INDEX. 


339 


Harbour,   daily    firing    in    the,    by 

privateers,  etc.,  71. 
Hard    money,    Morris     reports    in 

favour  of,  96. 
Harkin,  Major,  268. 
Harlequin,  privateer,  73. 
Harris,  Mr.,  319,  326. 
Harris,  Miss,  133. 
Harvey  expelled   from  the  House, 

276. 
Haskell,  Major,  268,  299,  301,  312. 
Hastie,  James,  8,    20,  23,   34,    158, 

163,  168,  1  S3. 
Hastings,  Mr.,  213. 
Hatch,  Mr.,  189. 
Hathorn,  Mrs.,  shop    broken    into, 

175- 
Hathorn,   Mrs.,  brings  Mr.  Fisher, 

"5- 

Hathorne,  Mr.,  221,  259. 

Hays,  Mr.,  218. 

Haven,  Mr.,  108,  114. 

Hawks,  Mr.,  148,  152,  253,  254. 

Hawley,  Major,  not  able  to  come  to 

Court,  31. 
Hawthorn,  Mr.,  166,  176. 
Henderson,  Mr.,  90, 128, 133,1136, 148. 
Henderson,  Mrs.,  230. 
Hendy,  Mrs.,  buried,  157. 
Henly,  Mrs.,  76. 
Henshaw,  Mr.,  letter  from,  81. 
Hensley,    Colo.,   stabs   a   Regular, 

46. 
Higginson,  H.,  30,  33. 
Higginson,  John,  108,  131,  260,  261, 

262,  272. 
Higginson,   Stephen,  2,   20,  29,  58, 

67,  76,  85,  86,  100,  107,  138,  170, 

175,  191,  192,  2ii,  220,  232,  236, 

238,  244,  271,313. 
Higginson,   Mrs.,   20,  27,   124,   151, 

167,  169,  171,  174,  209,  221,  222, 

257,  306,  308,  327. 
Higginson,  Miss,  17,  122,  124,  126. 
Higginson,  Susan,  196. 
Higginson,  Miss,  278. 
Hill,  Dr.,  142. 
Hill,  Mr.,  87,  136,  309. 
Hiller,  Mr.,  his  sermon  on  St.  John's 

Day,  82. 
Hichborn,  Mr.,  255,  321. 
Hinckley,  Mr.,  168,  249,  253. 
Hinckley,  Mrs.,  257. 
Hitchborn,  Colo.,  257. 
Hitchcock,  Dr.,  312. 


Hitchcock,  Mr.,  34,  157,  217,  299. 

Hodges,  Capt,  49. 

Hodges,  Mr.,  91,  163,  207,  298. 

Holland,  Colo.,  taken,  31. 

Hollis,  Mr.,  166,  176. 

Dolman,  Mr.,  157. 

Holman,  S.,  214. 

Holt,  Mr.,  137,  264,  273. 

Holt,  Nat.,  271. 

Holten,  Dr.,  4,  50,  74,  90,  92,  231, 
250,  283,  284. 

Holyoke,  Dr.,  36,  73,  80,  82,  83,  84, 
ior,  in,  113,  114,  117,  126,  130, 
i35>  x43>  T44,  148,  i59>  J69>  170, 
177,  182,  185,  193,  197,  204,  206, 
207,  214,  216,  229,  231,  238,  242, 
244,  248,  254,  257,  259,  261,  273, 
285,302,  304,  306,  311,  314,  315, 
3*8,  319. 

Holyoke,  Mrs.,  152,  218,  257. 

Holyoke,  Miss,  257. 

Homans,  Mr.,  163,  195,  251. 

Hood,  261. 

Hooper,  R.,  25,  45,  47,  49,  51,  107, 
108,  116,  122,  245,  247,  250,  278, 
288,  294,  296,  297,  308,  316,  318, 
322,  328. 

Hopkins,  Mr.,  19,  102,  225. 

Hopkins,  Commissary,  comes  to 
Salem,  122. 

Horsemen  killed  by  Britons  and 
Americans,  46. 

Horse  race  at  Lynn  beach,  126. 

Hospital  for  small-pox  opened,  26. 

Hospital,  Salem,  31. 

How,  Colo.,  295,  299. 

Howe,  Lord,  21. 

Howe,  General,  21,  22,  26,  32,  35,, 
39,  40,  42,  45,  53,  149. 

Howes,  Susan  Burley,  208  n. 

How,  Mr.,  81,  224,  225. 

Howland,  Capt.,  76. 

Hoyland,  Mrs.,  84. 

Hudson,  Mr.,  253. 

Hues,  Mr.,  225. 

Hughes,  Mr.,  232,  239. 

Hull,  Gen'l,  289. 

Hunt,  John,  202. 

Hunt,   Mr.,  65,   117,   137,  168,  192;. 

235-      . 
Hunt,  Miss,  17. 
Hunter,  Mr.,  20. 
Huntley,  Mr.,  138. 
Hurricane  in  the  West  Indies,  80,, 

81. 


340 


INDEX. 


Hussey,  Mr.,  88. 

Hutchinson,  rumour  of  his  suicide, 

154. 
Hutchinson,  Foster,  158. 
Hutchinson,  Mr.,  316,  321. 
Hutchison,  Mr.,  12. 

Imprisonment  of  masters  of  ves- 
sels, orders  for,  21. 
Independence,  rumours  of,  121. 
Indians  burn  houses,  77. 
Ingersoll,  Capt.,  194. 
Ingersoll,  Mr.,  195,  221,  327. 
Ipswich,  rejoicings  at,  151. 
Ivers,  Mr.,  153. 
Ives,  Mr.,  121,  175. 

Jackson,  Mr.,  27,  149,  245. 

Jackson,  William,  capture  of,  7  ; 
carted  out  of  town,  28. 

Jackson,  Gen'l,  257,  258. 

Jackson,  Jona.,  266. 

Jackson  enlists,  261. 

Jacobs,  Mr.,  288. 

Jail,  a  stranger  committed  to,  83. 

James,  Mr.,  161,  286. 

Janet,  Mr.,  289. 

Jay,  John,  306. 

Jeffries,  Dr.  John,  balloon  tour  of, 
211. 

Jeffrey,  Dan,  80. 

Jersey,  fight  at,  13,  21. 

Jeffry,  Mr.,  314,  317. 

Jeffry,  J.,  238. 

Jenks,  Mr.,  281. 

Jenkins,  Mr.,  219,  220. 

Jennison,  Mr.,  89. 

Jenyns,  his  Evidences  of  Christian- 
ity- 135- 

Jewett,  Mr.,  286. 

Johnson,  Mr.,  48,  69,  96,  193. 

Johnson,  Mrs.,  226. 

Johnston,  Mr.,  II. 

Johonnot,  Colo.,  135. 

Johonnot,  Mrs.,  192. 

Jones,  D.,  appointed  Chief  Justice 
of  Vermont,  98. 

Jones,  Paul,  in. 

Jones,  48,  49,  57,  60,  113. 

Joyce,  insolent  publication  of,  291. 

Jury  refuse  to  give  verdicts  unless 
paid  in  new  emission,  95,  97. 

;Kast,  Mr.,  t6o. 
Kate,  Mr.,  54. 


Kempenfelt,    Admiral,    victory    of, 

125. 
Kendall,  Mr.,  247. 
Kent,  Father,  15,  138. 
Kettle,  Mr.,  309. 
Kimball,  Mr.,  170,  193,  207,  237,  245, 

255- 

King,  D.,  202. 

King,  Mr.,  132,  166,  244,  260. 

King  of  France,  rumours  regarding, 

24. 
Kneeland,  Dr.,  125,   156,   238,  253, 

307- 
Knight,  Capt.,  73. 
Knight,  Miss,  292. 
Knowlton,  Mr.,  179,  184,  229. 
Knox,  Mr.,  12. 
Kollock,  Mr.,  121. 

Lafayette,  190  ;  visits  Salem,  198, 

199. 
Lafette,  Mr.,  54,  115,  116,  119,   130, 

137,  177,  17S. 
Ladies'  mob  on  Copp's  Hill,  34. 
Lamb,  D.,  36,  38. 
Lambert,  Capt.,  323. 
Lamson,  Mr.,  168. 
Lander,  Mr.,  222,  223. 
Lang,  Mr.,  171,  283. 
Langdon,  Miss,  323. 
Lane,  Mr.,  166,  193,  217,  263,  277, 

278,  291,  298. 
Lanjevais,  Mr.,  191. 
Lathrop,  Mr.,  179. 
Lawless,  Mrs.,  143,  145,  169. 
Laurea,  Capt.,  4,  20. 
Lawrence,  Mr.,  39,  287. 
Lawsen  arrested  for  profaning  Fast 

Day,  24. 
Leach,  Capt.,  26,  46. 
Leach,  Mr.,  220,  317. 
Leathers,  Mr.,  162. 
Leathers,  Mrs.,  106. 
Leavitt,  Rev.  Dudley,  230  n. 
Lechmere,  Mr.,  166,  1S0,  188,  206. 
Lee,  Capt.,  34,  125,  134. 
Lee,  Gen'l,  surprised  and  taken,  21 ; 

rumour  of  his  going  over  to  the 

Regulars,  100. 
Lee,  George,  177. 
Lee,  Mr.,  19,  153,  171,  204,  215. 
Lee,  Mrs.,  134,  153,  178,  197,  320. 
Lee,  Joseph,  126,  158,  161,  187,  213. 
Lee,  T.,  27,  202,  244,  245. 
Lee,  Mr.  Silas,  114. 


INDEX. 


341 


Lewis,  Mr.,  36,  45,  46. 

Lilly,  Mr.,  36. 

Lincoln,  Gen'l,  269. 

Lincoln,  Lieut.-Gov.,  305,  318. 

Lincoln,  G.,  1S3,  2S2. 

Lincoln,  Mr.,  155,  225. 

Lippencut,  trial  of,  128. 

Littleton,  Lord,  2. 

Lloyd,  Dr.,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16, 

17,24,49,75,76,112,205. 
Lloyd,  Henry,  banished,  16  ;  arrival 

of,  at  Halifax,  172. 
Lloyd,  H.,  Mrs.,  222. 
Livingston,  Mr.,  140. 
Livingston,  John,  301,  302. 
Lobden,  M.,  14. 
London,  riot  in,  72. 
Long,  John,  escapes  from  jail,  99. 
Longfellow,  Mr.,  165,  194. 
Long  Island,  battles  in,  19. 
Loring,  Dr.,  17,   116,   117,   161,  235, 

250,  295,  296,  324. 
Lothrop,  Mr.,  25. 
Lovejoy,  Mr.,  276,  281. 
Lovell,  J.,  sets  out  for  Congress,  23. 
Lowell,  John,  1,  10,  11,  16,  19,38, 

39,  45,  84,  86,  93,  95,  99,  104,  106, 

110,  127,  133,  159,  175,  191,201, 

209,  214,  218,  219,  223,  233,  235, 

236,  241,  246,  270,  278,  298,  324, 

325,  326. 
Lowell,  Mrs.,  death  of,  26;  bearers 

at  the  funeral  of,  27. 
Luscom,  Mr.,  5S,  155. 
Lyde,  Mr.,  240. 
Lynde,   Benjamin,  67,  85,  93,  319  ; 

his  death,  107  ;  his  funeral,  108. 
Lynde,  Mrs.,  54,  119,  166,  167,  177, 

179,  191,  218,  229,  278,  293,  323, 

328. 
Lynde,  Miss  H.,  200. 
Lynde,  Primus,  burial  of,  279. 
Lynn,  race  at,  126. 

Mackey,  Mr.,  154,  255,  206. 

Maddison,  Capt.,  314. 

Malbone's  Garden,  189. 

Malevolence  of  partisans,  48. 

Mange,  Mr.,  154. 

Manley  taken  by  Cabot  and  Rain- 
bow frigates,  33  ;  not  credited,  34. 

Manly  captures  the  "  Fox,"  7. 

Manly,  Commodore,  challenged,  29. 

Manning,  Mr.,  141,  185,  231,  234, 
254,  277,  306. 


Mansfield,  Mr.,  58,  121,  122,  127, 
156,  161,  167,  168,  177,  179,  255, 
275,  285,  291,  322. 

Marblehead,  deep  snow  between 
Salem  and,  25  ;  rejoicings  at,  over 
Burgoyne's  surrender,  6,  41  ;  trial 
of  those  who  refuse  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  51  ;  fair  in,  243. 

Marblehead  committee,  55. 

Maritime  Court,  decision  of,  in  cases 
of  a  crew's  plundering  on  the  sea- 
shore, 127. 

Market,  Salem,  state  of,  168. 

Marketmen  refuse  the  old  emission 
bills,  97. 

Marsh,  D.,  32. 

Marston,  Mr.,  9,  123,  134. 

Marston,  Mrs.,  104. 

Martin,  Sarah,  197,  210. 

Maryland  accepts  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, 307. 

Mascarene,  John,  125,  136. 

Mascarene,  Mr.,  226. 

Mascarene,  Mrs.,  56,  125,  190,  221, 
227,  237,  238. 

Mason,  Mr.,  60,  96,  102,  125,  162, 
225,  295. 

Mason,  Mrs.,  100,  101,  105. 

Masury,  Dr.,  279. 

Mather,  Dr.,  Mr.  Pynchon  visits, 
n. 

May  tried,  168. 

Mayhecv,  Miss,  288. 

Maynard,  Miss,  106. 

McCauley,  Mrs.,  187,  iSS,  193. 

McGilchrist,  Rev.  Mr.,  24,  60,  85, 
118,  119,  228,  270,  313;  threats 
against,  22. 

McGill,  258. 

McKenton,  187. 

McNeal,  challenge  to  fight,  29. 

Mellen,   Mr.,  30,  67,  70,   125,   129, 

i33>  J54- 

Mellen,  Mrs.,  323. 

Messinger,  Miss,  132. 

Middleton,  Mr.,  325. 

Mifflin,  Gen'l,  in  Philadelphia,  40; 
to  set  fire  to  the  city  if  necessary, 
against  Howe,  40. 

Milford,  frigate,  comes  in  to  Salem, 
18. 

Military  muster,  55. 

Militia  mustered  for  procuring  men, 
13  ;  muster  of,  in  Salem,  67;  re- 
view of,  306. 


342 


INDEX. 


Mob  at  Salem,  34. 

Mob  at  Boston,  57. 

Money-makers,  aspersion  of,  in  the 
newspapers,  97. 

Money,  scarcity  of,  233. 

Monopoly  act  suspended,  32. 

Montgomery,  General,  rumour  of 
death  of,  2. 

Moore,  Mr.,  304. 

Moore,  Mrs.,  125. 

Moreton,  Mr.,  328. 

Morgan,  Mr.,  299. 

Moriarty,    161,    163,   169,    174,   191, 

.    193,  194,  213,  227,  232. 

Morris,  Mr.,  reports  in  favour  of 
hard  money,  96  ;  proposes  to  re- 
sign, 147. 

Mosely,  Capt.,  240. 

Moses,  Mr.,  264,  271. 

Motley,  Mr.,  310. 

Moulton,  Sheriff,  153,  239. 

Moultrie,  Fort,  surrenders,  66. 

Mowatt,  Capt.,  81,  99,  109. 

Moylan,  Colo.,  2. 

Mugford,  Capt.  James,  26. 

Mulliken,  Mr.,  238,  274,  277. 

Mumford,  Mr.,  157. 

Murray,  Mr.,  200,  241,  287,  320. 

Murray,  Mrs.,  320. 

Mussy,  Capt.,  21. 

Nantasket,  firing  at,  9  ;  fleet  sail 

from,  6 ;  transport  conveyed  to,  13. 
Needham,  Mr.,  202,  261. 
Nelson,  Mr.,  317. 
Newbury,  prizes  brought  in  to,  2. 
New  emission,  credit  of,  sinks,  96. 
Newhall,  Mr.,   14,   18,  58,   121,  138, 

161,  172,  178,  272,  302,  312,  320. 
New  Hampshire  adopts  the  Federal 

Constitution,  310. 
New    Hampshire   counterfeit   bills, 

29. 
Newport  submits  to  British  troops, 

Newport,  transports  at,  34 ;  rumour 
of  the  burning  of,  23. 

New  York,  disturbances  at,  2  ;  con- 
spiracies in,  9  ;  news  of  evacuation 
of,  56. 

Nichols,  Mr.,  279. 

Nimmo,  Mrs.,  204,  205,  280. 

Norris,  Mr.,  177,  210. 

Norwood,  Mr.,  25,  51. 

Nourse,  Mr.,  270. 


Nova  Scotia  to  Casco  Bay,  a  new 

province,  85. 
Nowland,  Mr.,  232. 
Noyes,  Mr.,  128,  137,  139,  140,  143, 

155,  157,  166,  168,  170,  173,  177, 

178,  181,  192,  195,  196,  204,  209, 

231,  243,  253,  288,  311. 
Nutting,  Mr.,  83,  101,  108,  188,  208, 

214,  304,  310. 

Oath,  new,  of  allegiance,  49 ;  pun- 
ishment of  those  who  refuse,  51. 

Oaths  deferred  by  Assembly,  52. 

Ogden,  Mr.,  2S5,  286,  304. 

Officers,  ignorance  of,  43. 

Old  emission  passeth  no  more,  95. 

Old  emission  bills  refused  by  all,  97. 

Oliver^  Rev  T.  F.,  20,  52,  54,  55,  59, 
68,  91,  102,  103,  108,  115,  116,  119, 
122,  123,  124,  126,  130,  138,  140, 
141,  149,  150,  151,  152,  154,  157, 
169,  172,  181,  184,  190,  192,  196, 
198,  201,  206,  213,  214,  216,  228, 
233>  237>  240,  241,  242,  243,  244, 
246,  248,  249,  260,  262,  270,  271, 
275,  278,  285,  287,  2S8,  289,  291, 
292,  293,  297,  304,  308,  310,  311, 
316,  322,  325,  327,  328. 

Oliver,  Mrs.,  54,67,68,  140,  149,  150, 
198,  223,  233,  241,  243,  244,  248, 
252,  257,  260,  280,  290,  297,  301, 
307,  310. 

Oliver,  Judge  Peter,  53,  130,  243, 
253'  275^  281,  2S9,  290,  293,  319. 

Oliver,  Lynde,  137,  195,  206,  217, 
219,  220,  226,  244. 

Oliver,  Judge  Andrew,  85,  107,  159, 
181,  243,  24S,  293. 

Oliver,  D.,  88,  193,  22S,  232,  237, 
246,  286. 

Oliver,  Peter,  212,  221,  296. 

Oliver,  Sally,  129. 

Oliver,  Andrew,  Jr.,  303. 

Olney,  Mr.,  157. 

Onicks,  Misses,  14. 

Ordination  at  Lynn,  174 ;  at  Beverly, 
212. 

Orne,  Timothy,  27,  38,  44,  45,  46, 
47,  54,  55,  58,  60,  62,  80,  82,  86, 
87,  88,  97,  1 01,  130,  139,  140,  143, 
145,  149,  152,  153,  156,  159,  161, 
169,  181,  183,  184,  188,  189,  191, 
193,  201,  207,  210,  212,  213,  216, 
221,  226,  239,  245,  253,  257,  258, 
259,  260,  261,  262,  263,  265,  267, 


INDEX. 


343 


271,  272,  273,  275,  282,  286,307, 
309.  3">  3lS>  3l6>  327,  328. 

Orne,  Mrs.,  49,  50,  54,  70,  103,  105, 
124,  125,  167,  175,  i95»  T96>  205, 
208,  209,  212,  215,  216,  221,  223, 
227,  235,  238,  242,  245,  252,  254, 
255,  257,  262,  275,  283,  285,  286, 
289,  290,  293. 

Orne,  Mrs.,  307. 

Orne,  Miss,  129,  289,  325. 

Orne,  Dr.,  death  of,  229 ;  funeral 
of,  230. 

Orne,  Mrs.,  wife  of  Dr.  Orne,  buried, 

57- 

Orne,  Betsey,  181. 

Orne,  Capt.,  295. 

Orne,  Major,  139. 

Orne,  Rebecca,  208  n. 

Orne,  Samuel,  28,  191  ;  illness  of, 
206  ;  death  of,  207. 

Osborn,  180. 

Osgood,  Dr.,  163,  230. 

Osgood,  Judge,  312,  313. 

Osgood,  I.,  289,  293,  294,  296. 

Osgood,  Mr.,  83,  89,  91,  118,  138, 
149.  I5h  J57»  T7o,  202,219,226, 
228,  234,  238,  247,  251,  273,  278, 
284,  285,  286,  308,  315,  319,  32°> 

323- 
Otis,  Harrison  Gray,  146,  147,  239, 

2  59- 
Otis,  James,   Mr.   Pynchon  meets, 

12. 
Otis,  Mrs.,  Mr.  Pynchon  introduced 
to,  12,  13. 

Page,  Mr.,  180,  234,  316,  321. 

Page,  S.,  131,  154,  155'  l66»  :98> 
203,  204;  death  of,  217. 

Page,  Capt.,  289. 

Paine,  Dr.,  199,  200,  205,  208,  209, 
213,  214,  287,  289,  290,  291,  298, 
307,  313.  32i,  322,  326,  329. 

Paine,  Mrs.,  199,  316,  321. 

Paine,  R.  T.,  23,  no,  112,  127,  169, 
225,  255. 

Palfrey,  Mr.,  200. 

Paper  money,  inexpediency  of,  1  ; 
advice  given  regarding,  3 ;  coun- 
tryman beaten  for  taking,  35 ;  re- 
fused for  provisions,  101. 

Parish  clerk,  gown  for  the,  120. 

Parker,  Isaac,  217. 

Parker,  J.,  311. 

Parker,  Mr.,  161,  239. 


Parker,  John,  191. 

Parker,  Rev.  Samuel,  99,  105,  119, 
218. 

Parliament,  news  of  dissolution  of, 
183. 

Parsons,  Gen'l,  299. 

Parsons,  Mr.  T.,  1,  15,  47>  7&>  95' 
101,  107,  114,  127,  133,  160,  162, 
195,  201,  210,  214,  217,  223,  224, 
225,  253,  294. 

Parsons,  Mr.,  318. 

Parsons,  ordination  of  Mr.,  174. 

Party  spirit,  its  influence,  59. 

Patch,  Mr.,  225,  280. 

Patterson,  Mr.,  194,  269,  270,  272. 

Payson,  P.,  166. 

Payson,  Mr.,  4,  23,  25,  28,  206. 

Peabody,  A.,  211. 

Peabody,  Capt.,  269. 

Peabody,  Mr.,  122,  127. 

Peabody,  O.,  227. 

Peace,  expectations  of,  131;  rumours 
of,  132;  confirmed,  148;  procla- 
mation of,  150. 

Peacock,  gift  of  a,  from  Mr.  Browne, 

IS7- 

Pearce,  Mr.,  278,  295. 

Peas,  Robert,  82. 

Peas,  Mr.,  177,  302. 

Pedrick,  Mr.,  136. 

Peele,  Sheriff,  310. 

Pemberton,  Dr.,  n,  17,  18. 

Perkins,  Mr.,  304. 

Perkins  hangs  himself,  155. 

Perkins,  Justice,  324. 

Peters,  82. 

Phealan,  249. 

Phelps,  Mr.,  37,  161,  163,  191. 

Philadelphia,  rumours  regarding 
farmers  of,  22  ;  rumour  that  it  is 
taken  by  Gen'l  Tryon,  40  ;  con- 
tradicted, 40. 

Philips,  G.,  suspicion  of  having  been 
poisoned,  99. 

Phillips,  S.,  122,  213. 

Phillips,  192. 

Phillips,  Mr.,  202,  204,  219,  23S,  246, 
251,  252,  300. 

Phillips,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  from  Middle- 
town,  36. 

Phillips,  Judge,  258. 

Pickering,  Colo.,  173. 

Pickering,   Mr.   John,  96,  121,  181, 

198,  231,  237,  258. 
Pickering,  W.,  255. 


344 


INDEX. 


Pickering,  Mrs.  Timothy,  funeral  of, 

202. 
Pickman,  Colo.,  58,  85,  87,  195,  221, 

230,  236,  238,  253,  263,  278,  288, 

291,  292,  312,  316. 
Pickman,  Mrs.,  140,  141,   170,   171, 

175^  J77,  205,  208,  219,  254,  305. 
Pickman,  Mr.,  163,  292. 
Pickman,  Benjamin,   131,   144,  146, 

147,  162,   163,  193,  194,  215,  216, 

219,  226,  229,  231,  233,  237,  242, 

295- 
Pickman,     Madam    Benjamin,    her 

death,  240  ;  burial,  241. 
Pickman,    William,    217,    231,    239, 

289,  291,  306,  320. 
Pickman,  Mrs.   William,  death  of, 

.z35- 
Pickman,  C.  Gayton,  dies,  179. 
Pickman,  Miss  Rebecca,  289,  297. 
Pickman,  Mr.  Clark  Gayton,  death 

of,  112  ;  funeral,  112. 
Pickman,  Miss  Love,  103.  , 

Piemont,  Mr.,  183,  189,  195. 
Pierce,  Capt.,  209,  212. 
Pierce,  G.,  293. 
Pierce,  J.,  203,  234. 
Pierce,  Mr.,  273. 
Pike,  Mr.,  259,  308,  312. 
Playfulness  of  Salem  people,  122. 
Platts,  Mr.,  115,  224. 
Plummer,  Dr.  Joshua,  85,  235,  239, 

257,  25S,  259,  286,  298,  304,  307, 

311,  320,  324. 
Plymouth,  privateers  taken  into,  2. 
Pointer,  Mrs.,  3. 
Pollard,  Mr.,  197,  307. 
Pomeroy,  Mr.,  301. 
Pool,  Mr.,  266. 
Poor,  Mr.,  245. 
Pope,  Mr.,  34,  225. 
Pope  Joan,  game  of,  118. 
Porter,  Capt.,  273,  279. 
Porter,  Mr.,  25,  317. 
Porter,  Miss  P.,  181. 
Porter,  Justice,  149. 
Porter,  Lieut.,  276,  295,  301. 
Porter,  Jabez,  letter  of,  113,  150,  175. 
Porter,  Sheriff",  153. 
Porter,  S.,  310,  311,  312,  314,  315, 

317,  318,  327. 
Porter,  Thomas,  205. 
Port  Roseway,  account  of  harbour 

of,  160  ;  houses  erected  at,  164. 
Portsmouth,  41. 


Prentice,  Mr.,  118. 

Prescott,    Mr.,    227,    229,   274,   291, 

318. 
Prince,   Mr.,  76,  81,   102,   104,  114, 

117,   118,   135,  141,   156,  166,  168, 

169,  170,  188,  191,  192,  193,  213, 

214,  219,  281,  286,  289,  309. 
Prince,  Mrs.,  62,  104. 
Prince,  Miss,  210,  287,  306. 
Princeton,  suit  of,  165. 
Prisoners,  proposals   for   exchange 

of,  131  ;  American,  released,  13  ; 

exchange  of,  132. 
Prize  taken  by  the  Essex,  86. 
Prizes  brought  into  Newbury,  2. 
Proctor,  Mr.,  136. 
Prosecution  of  persons  for  not  going 

to  meeting  on  Sunday,  46. 
Provincials  retreat  from  Quebec,  8. 
Pulling,   Edward,  88,  89,    122,   134, 

x36>  155,  163,  167,  202,  210,  212, 

237.  245,  257,  273,  277,  278,  314, 
315,  316,  317. 

Putnam,  Dr.  A.,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14, 
15,  16,  17,  155,  202,  279. 

Putnam,  Dr.  Ebenezer,  22,  25,  38, 
49,  72,  80,  83,  89,  101,  102,  108, 
121,  125,  128,  130,  131,  134,  151, 
152,  i59>  163,  173,  174,  175,  188, 
192,  195,  214,  221,  228,  231,  236, 
241,  258,  281,  288,  289,  309,  316  ; 
death  of,  314. 

Putnam,  Ebenezer,  55,  112,  136,  144, 
147,  297,  325. 

Putnam,  Judge  A.,  236,  263,  306. 

Putnam,  Mr.  A.,  113,  117. 

Putnam,  Mr.  Ed.,  250,  282. 

Putnam,  Elizabeth,  230. 

Putnam,  Ez.,  2S2. 

Putnam,  Fred.  Ward,  314. 

Putnam,  Samuel,  279. 

Putnam,  Mr.,  163,  240. 

Putnam,  Gen'l,  295. 

Pynchon,  William,  his  inoculation 
by  Dr.  Lloyd,  10  ;  his  windows 
broken  by  a  mob,  41,  42  ;  moves 
into  Mr.  Orne's  house,  58 ;  moves 
into  Mr.  Cabot's  house,  102. 

Pynchon,  Mrs.,  9,  10,  12,  17,  18,  62, 
67,  74,  87,  88,89,  95,  105,  107,  108, 
in,  125,  130,  131,  133,  145,  148, 
150,  153,  159,  161,  164,  165,  166, 
169,  182,  188,  197,  202,  204,  213, 
215,  218,  219,  221,  226,  230,  234, 

238,  240,  245,  249,  250,  252,  253, 


INDEX. 


345 


254, 256, 258,  260,  261,  262,  282, 
283, 286, 289,  290,  292,  303,  307, 
310,  312,  315,  319,  320. 

Pynchon,  William,  Jr.,  9,  11,  14,  16, 
17,  20,  24,  25,  33,  39,  44,  46,  49, 
56,  62. 

Pynchon,  John,  enters  college,  18  ; 
is  admitted  to  the  bar,  274;  re- 
ceives a  commission  as  ensign  in 
the  volunteers,  258. 

Pynchon,  Patty,  69,  70,  105,  108, 
125,  129,  132,  134,  142,  152,  156, 
165,  169,  170,  176,  199,  220,  233  ; 
marriage  of,  303. 

Pynchon,  Joseph,  8,  124,  164,  171, 
172,  1S9,  191,  223,  240,  293,  295, 
301. 

Pynchon,  Miss,  294. 

Pynchon,  G.,  224,  294,  301. 

Pynchon,  Dr.  Charles,  294. 

Pynchon,  Elizabeth,  23. 

Pynchon,  Margaret,  1. 

Pynchon,  Thomas  R.,  154,  169. 

Pynchon,  Rev.  Thomas  R.,  300. 

Pynchon,  Sarah,  154. 

Pyne,  Capt.,  28. 

Quebeck,  rumour  regarding  cap- 
ture of,  2,  7  ;  Provincials  retreat 
from,  8. 

Ramsdell,  264,  265,  268. 

Ramsdell,  Capt.,  318,  328. 

Rainbow,  frigate,  34. 

Rand,  Mr.,  S2. 

Rawlins,  Love,  240  n. 

Rea,  Mr.,  325. 

Rea,  Mrs.,  190. 

Red    Bank    Fort   taken    by   Gen'l 

Howe,  45. 
Reed,  Mr.,  174,  218. 
Regulars,  defeat  of,  in  Jersey,  67. 
Rejoicings   on    surrender    of    Bur- 

goyne,  41. 
Representatives,   town    chooses,    4, 

75- 
Rhode  Island,  French  fleet  at,  68  ; 
offers    protection    to    insurgents, 

273- 

Rhodes,  privateer,  adjudged  tres- 
passers, 88. 

Revell,  Mr.,  236. 

Rice,  Dr.,  105. 

Rich,  Mr.,  from  Mt.  Desert,  124,  125. 

Richards,  Mrs.,  155. 


Richardson,  Mr.,  154,  155,  164,  174, 

1S5,  218. 
Riddon,  Mr.,  92. 
Riot  at  Boston  between  sailors  and 

Frenchmen,  57. 
Riot  in  London,  72. 
Riot  in  New  York,  306. 
Rivington's  Gazette,  65. 
Road's,  his  shop  broken  open,  185. 
Robie,    Thomas,  85,  96,    105,    150, 

193,  219,  221,  235. 
Robie,  Mrs.,  192,  294. 
Robie,  Miss,  306. 
Robinson,  Mr.,  163,  180,  226,  313. 
Roche,  William,  74. 
Rodney's  attack  at  St.  Eustatius,  89. 
Rodney,   news    of    his   capture    of 

French  ships,  124. 
Rogers,  Dr.,  313. 
Rogers,  Mr.,  145,  304. 
Rogers,  R.,  84. 
Rolfe,  Mr.,  324,  326. 
Ropes,  Nathaniel,   17,  85,  147,  203, 

207,  213,  289,  304. 
Ropes,  Jona.,  68,  175,  206,  261. 
Ropes,  Mr.,  153,  277,  279. 
Ropes,  Mrs.,  18,  97,   181,   298,  303, 

312,  326. 
Roseway,   Port,   some    account   of, 

164  n. 
Rossiter,  Mr.,  300. 
Rowe,  Mr.,  90,  321. 
Rowland,  Mr.,  77. 
Ruggles,  Dr.,  300. 
Russell,  Mr.,  184,  240,  298. 
Russell,  T.,  11,  17,  175. 
Russell,  J.,  3,  77,97,  108,  131,  213. 
Russell,  Mrs.,  funeral  of,  190. 
Rust,  Mr.,  1S4. 

Sabbath  Act,  150. 

Safford,  Mrs.,  212. 

Salary,  Mrs.,  165. 

Salem,  militia  mustered  in,  3  ;  mob 
at,  34  ;  measures  of  defence  of, 
105 ;  joy  in,  at  news  of  Gen'l 
Greene  and  the  allies,  106 ;  re- 
joicing at,  151. 

Sargeant,  N.  P.,  1,  24,  166,  175,  247, 
256,  291,  308,  325. 

Sargent,  Colo.  Epes,  14,  16,  83,  85, 
86,  98,  99,  114,  117,  121,  128,  261, 

293- 
Sargent,  Mrs.,  dies,  S2  ;  burial,  83. 
Sargent,  Mrs.,  36,  80,  199,  201. 


346 


INDEX. 


Sargent,  Mr.,  117,  304. 

Sanders,  Mr.,  87,  284,  324. 

Sanders,  T.,  169. 

Sanders,  J.,  208. 

Sanders,  W.,  12,  214. 

Sanders,  Mrs.,  116,  133. 

Satchell,  Mr.,  100. 

Savage,  Mr.,  8,  224. 

Savage,  Capt.,  294,  295,  301. 

Sawyer,  Mr.,  315. 

Sawyer,  S.,  211. 

Scollay,  Margaret,  314. 

Scott,  Mr.,  225,  294,  295,  299. 

Seabury,  Bishop,  216,  304. 

Sears,  David,  108,  140,  148,  179, 
203. 

Seaver,  L.,  202. 

Selkrig,  Mr.,  213,  226,  287. 

Seton,  Mr.,  confined,  21. 

Sewall,  Stephen,  1,  46,  69,  70,  109, 
114,  117,  130,  134,  137,  139,  140, 
178,  207,  208,  209,  217,  231,  237, 
238,  240,  243,  252,  253,  255,  266, 
280,  283,  305,  313,  318,  322  ;  ap- 
pointed naval  officer  at  Marble- 
head,  232. 

Sewall,  Stephen,  Jr.,  138. 

Sewall,  Mr.,  54,  119,  138,  163,  168, 
188,  242,  291. 

Sewall,  Mrs.,  death  of,  25. 

Sewall,  W.  P.,  237. 

Sewall,  Mrs.,  241,  323. 

Sewall,  Samuel,  marriage  of,  to  Miss 
Deveraux,  112. 

Sewall,  Miss,  148. 

Sewall,  Jane,  death  of,  192. 

Sewall,  Jonathan,  192,  211,  226,  2S4, 
288. 

Sewall,  Mitchell,  7,  3S,  60,  70,  113, 
138,  147,  158,  159,  173,  177,  178, 
207,  209,  227.  228,  229,  234,  242, 

243>  255>  279- 
Sewall,  Judge,   no,   130,   153,  155, 

162,  166,  167,  174,  175,  181,  200, 

201,  234,  278,  318. 
Shattuck,  257,  258,  278. 
Shaw,  Mrs.,  189. 
Shays,  256,  259,  260,  262,  263,  264, 

265,  266,  267,  269. 
Sheldon,  Mr.,  248. 
Shelton,  Mr.,  48. 
Shepard,  Mr.,  98,  265,  266,  272. 
Shepherd,  Mr.,  trial  of;  conviction, 

106. 
Shillaber,  Mr.,  308,  315,  321,  322. 


Shimmin,  W.,  122. 
Ship  Julius  Caesar  launched,  118. 
Short,  Dr.,  4. 
Sibley,  Mr.,  268. 
Silsbee,  N.,  282. 

Singing  school  in  Salem,  doubts  of 
its  success,  134;  established,  135. 
Slater,  Mr.,  190. 
Smith,  Mr.,  184,  186,  187,  191,  210, 

212,  220,  222,  238,  307. 
Smith,  D.,  61,  284. 
Smith,  Dr.,  318. 

Smith,  Jeremiah,  178,  232,  269. 

Smith,  T.  Watson,  165  n. 

Smithurst,  Mr.,  124. 

Snow,  Mr.,  245. 

Soldiers,  differences  between  North- 
ern and  Southern,  23. 

South  Carolina  accepts  the  Federal 
Constitution,  309. 

Southick,  221. 

Spain,  preparation  in,  to  aid  Amer- 
ica, 22. 

Spalding,  Mr.,  275,  283. 

Sparhawk,  Mr.  N.,  11,  18,  62,  84, 
141,  147,  149,  150,  160,  171,  172, 
173,  178,  181,  183,  184,  185,  192, 
i93>  l97,  204,  212,  223,  224,  227, 
228,  234,  236,  237,  244,  245,  275, 
281,  282,  287,  288,  289,  303,  307, 
313,  319,  322,  327. 

Sparhawk,  Mrs.,  182. 

Sparhawk,  Mrs.,  death  of,  128. 

Sparhawk,  John,  164,  173. 

Sparhawk,  S.,  233,  234,  237. 

Spofford,  D.,  142. 

Spooner,  Eph.,  25. 

Sprague,  Mr.,  155,  188,  255. 

Stacey,  Mr.,  134,  242. 

Stanley,  Capt.,  34. 

Stanley,  Mr.,  124. 

Swain,  Mr.,  192. 

Stanhope,  Mr.,  171. 

Stanwix,  Fort,  besieged,  yj. 

Stearns,  Martha,  20S  n. 

Stebbins,  Mr.,  224. 

St.  Eustatius  taken,  91. 

Stevens,  Mr.,  148,  152,  161,  165, 167, 
16S,  169,  185,   188,  193,  201,  202, 

213,  231,  239,  241,  243,  250,  251, 
253,  256,  274,  275,  285,  30S,  31b, 
321. 

Stewart,  Mr.,  Si,  9S,  99,  121,  246. 
Steward,  Mr.,  of  New  London,  news 
that  he  is  killed,  106. 


INDEX. 


347 


Stiles,  Mr.,  202. 

Still,  236. 

Stimson,  247. 

Stirling,  R.,  taken  prisoner,  19. 

St.  John's   Day  celebrated   by   the 

Free  Masons,  82. 
St.  Michael's  Church  shut,  46. 
Stoddard,  Mr.,  197. 
Storm  at  Salem,  163. 
Story,  Mr.,  124,  173,  176,  223. 
Sullivan,  Gen'l,  15,  19,  23. 
Sullivan,  Judge,   no,   166;  resigns 

his  office  for  want  of  support,  116; 

is  appointed  Judge   of   Probate, 

3°7- 
Sullivan,  Mr.,  325. 
Sumner,  Judge,  174,  175,  225,  226, 

255,    291,    298,    325  ;     appointed 

judge,  132. 
Swasey,  Major,  142. 
Swift,  brig,  arrives,  109. 
Symmes,  291. 
Symonds,  Mr.,  211,  313. 

Taxes,  much  dissatisfaction  at,  86. 
Tarbell,  Mr.,  25S. 
Tate,  Mrs.,  280. 
Temple,  Mrs.,  17,  139. 
Temple,  Miss,  187,  222. 
Templeman,  Mr.,  133,  137,  143, 145, 

146,  147,  164,  268. 
Tender   Law,  its  repeal   proposed, 

80  ;  repeal  of,  84. 
Tender  act  rejected,  303. 
Thanksgiving  ordered  by  Congress, 

45- 
Thanksgiving,  Continental,  61. 
Thanksgiving,  45,  60,  137. 
Thompson,  Gen'l,  298. 
Thorndike,  Colo.,  172,  174. 
Thorndike,  Mr.,  1S0,  292,  296. 
Threats  of  incendiarism,  46. 
Ticonderoga  evacuated,  33. 
Tidd,  Mr.,  218. 
Tileston,  Mr.,  214. 
Timmins,  J.,  death  of,  223. 
Toast  given  by  a  Continental  agent, 

20. 
Town  house  of  Salem  sold,  218. 
Town  meetings  at  Salem,  81, 91, 100, 

105,  114,  122,  151,   161,  208,  290, 

293- 
Townsend,  Mr.,  229,  268. 
Tories,  trial  of  Marblehead,  41. 
Toy,  197. 


Tracey,  N.,  217. 

Tradesman's  Mall,  dance  at,  141. 

Traitors  pardoned,  285. 

Transports  taken,  30,  47. 

Tread  well,  Mr.,  174,  291,  316. 

Treason,  a  parson   committed   for, 

31- 
Troops  to  come  to  America,  52. 
Troops,  8000,  to   be  raised  in  the 

State,  53. 
Trowbridge,  Judge,  72,  73,  97,  100, 

102,  104,  108,  125,  131. 
Trumbull,  Gov.,  65. 
Tudor,  Mr.,  67,  195,  214,  232,  255. 
Tuck,  E.,  240. 

Tucker,  Ichabod,  160,  208  n. 
Tupper,  Dr.,  172,  1S9,  209. 
Turell,  Mr.,  213,  280,  291,  305. 
Turner,  138,  152,  160,  172,  191,  194, 

213,  223,  251,  279,  281,  315. 
Turner,  Mrs.,  172,  311. 
Turner,  Mr.  W.,  327. 
Turner,  Dr.,  241  ;  a  bearer  at  Judge 

Lynde's  funeral,  172. 
Turner,  J.,  funeral  of,  261. 
Tyler,  P.,  271. 

Upham,  Judge,  301. 
Upham,  Mr.,  52,  136. 
Upton,  Asa,  34. 
Upton,  Benjamin,  34. 
Upton,  Mrs.  Ezra,  293. 

Vans,  William,  3,  18,  19,  25,  67,  68, 
81,  87,  89,  91,  95,  119,  120,  134, 
151,  174,  176,  182,  188,  219,  228, 
248,  249,  252,  253,  254,  256,  261, 
265,  268,  270,  277,  278,  283,  292, 

293>  297,304,  309,  3"»  3i2,  313, 
316,  317,  321,  323,  325,  329. 

Vans,  William,  Jr.,  179. 

Vans,  Mrs.,  306,  310,  315,  319,  323, 

329- 

Vassal,  Mr.,  n,  24. 

Vaughn,  Mr.,  322. 

Vermont,  D.  Jones  Chief  Justice  of, 
98 ;  enters  into  contract  of  neu- 
trality, 98. 

Vermont,  State  of,  going  off,  81. 

Vermont  to  be  a  separate  State, 
87. 

Verry,  Mr.,  27,  49,  176. 

Vessels,  seizure  of  English,  by  French 
Minister,  54. 

Vickery,  Nat,  8. 


348 


INDEX. 


Vienna,  Congress  at,  on  American 
Independence,  98  ;  effects  of,  98, 
100. 

Volunteers,  Salem,  leave  Salem,  55. 

Wadsworth,  Mr.,  284. 

Wait,  Mr.,  150,  162,  206,  225,  23S, 
257,  281,  292,  293,  294. 

Waldo,  Dr.,  2,  132,  265. 

Waldo,  Miss,  buried,  97. 

Waldo,  Jonathan,  97  n. 

Waldo,  Miss,  married  to  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  135. 

Waldo,  Mr.,  131,  184,  188,  190,  212, 
219. 

Waldo,  Mrs.,  135,' 136,  161,  207,  308, 

3H- 

Waldo,  Miss  Lucy,  136. 

Waldo,  Miss,  275,  276. 

Waldo,  Major,  311. 

Walker,  Mr.,  134,  180,  184,  217,  226, 

236. 
Walker  arrested  for  profaning  Fast 

Day,  24. 
Wallis,  Mr.,  2^4- 
Walter,  Dr.  William,  56,  106,  in, 

146,  171,  172,  219,  284,  285,  2S6, 

287,  294. 
Walter,  Miss  P.,  219. 
Ward,  Mr.,  48,  76,  86,  97,  201,  204, 

20S,  236,  314,  327. 
Ward,  R.,  277,  307. 
Ward,  S.,  290,  291. 
Warden  of  St.  Peter's,  151. 
Ware,  H.,  217. 
Warner,  Mr.,  14. 
Warning  for  draughting,  36. 
Warren,  Capt.,  146. 
Warren,  Dr.,  installation  of,  at  Cam- 
bridge, 163. 
Warren,  Gen'l  James,  148,  206,  228. 
Warren,  Mr.,  130,  143. 
Washington,  George,  22,  36,  45,  47, 

127,  131,  134. 
Waterhouse,  Dr.,  installation  of,  at 

Cambridge,  162. 
Waters,  A.,  279. 
Waters,  Mr.,  192,  213,  235,  236,  237, 

243,  291,  321. 
Waters,  Mrs.,  273. 
Watkins,  220,  221. 
Watson,  12,  220,  223,  225,  226. 
Webb,  Capt.,  160. 
Webb,  Mr.,  125,  141,  182,  305. 
Webb,  S.,  196. 


Webb,  Stephen,  2. 

Webb,  Samuel,  2. 

Webb,  W.,  293,  301. 

Webster,  lecture  of,  245,  246. 

Wedderburne,  John,  24. 

Weeks,  Parson,  rector  of  St.  Mi- 
chael's, 51. 

Welch,  failure  of,  207. 

Welcom  tried  for  assault,  200. 

Wendell,  Judge,  307. 

Wendell,  Mrs.,  125. 

Wendell,  Miss,  132,  142. 

West,  Mr.  W.,  236,  303,  327. 

West,  Eb.,  17S. 

West,  Mr.,  20,  1S0,  221. 

West  Indies,  hurricane  in  the,  80. 

West,  Capt.,  20,  154. 

Wetmore,  William,  10,  15,  iS,  19, 
24,  25,  27,  35,  36,  47,  52>  72,  79, 
80,  81,  82,  89,  90,  97,  99,  100,  106, 
107,  10S,  no,  in,  112,  115,  116, 
118,  119,  121,  122,  127,  130,  131, 
132,  136,  140,  143,  144,  148,  150, 
153,  x54,  155,  161,  163,  167,  169, 
170,  180,  182,  184,  188,  190,  196, 
200,  201,  203,  204,  205,  207,  210, 
211,  212,  215,  219,  221,  222,  223, 
225,  226,  229,  231,  232,  233,  234, 
236,  241,  249,  250,  251,  253,  255, 
258,  263,  270,  279,  282,  287,  288, 
289,  292,  294,  295,  296,  299,  302, 
304,  311,  312,  324. 

Wetmore,  Mrs.,  308,  323,  324. 

Wetmore,  Miss,  275,  276. 

Wetmore,   Kate,  death  and  burial 

of,  55- 

Wheatly,  Mr.,  155. 

Wheeler,  Mr.,  198,  267,  271. 

White,  Capt,  m,  293. 

White,  Mrs.,  dances  with  Mr.  Green- 
wood, 142. 

White,  Mr.,  a  prisoner,  101. 

White,  Mr.,  197. 

White,  H.,  dance  at  house  of, 
142. 

Whitworth,  B.,  39. 

Wickham,  Mr.,  7,  189. 

Wilds,  Mr.,  178,  186,  208. 

Wilkins,  Mr.,  173,  226,  247,  249. 

Willard,  President,  129,  130,  132, 
144,  205,  236,  308. 

Willard,  Mr,  248. 

Williams,  Elijah,  1,  47,  48,  174. 

Wellington,  Mr.,  294. 

Williams,  Capt.,  23,  9S. 


INDEX. 


;49 


Williams,  Dr.,  157. 

Williams,  G.,  126,  143,  270,  272,  286, 
292. 

Williams,  John,  1,  3,  25,  45,  47,  86, 
89,90,  91,  105,  10S,  156,  158,  159, 
161,  206,  207,  215,  226,  231,  238, 
240,  256,  293,  294,  299,  300. 

Williams,  Major,  294. 

Williams,  S.,  126,  245. 

Williams,  Mr.,  49,  75,  no,  in,  145, 

J51'  T59»  J95>  202,  236>  SOS- 
Williams,  Mrs.,  death  of,  218,  219. 
Williams,  T.,  205,  206. 
Williams,  Miss,  198. 
Williams,  Prof.,  102,  236,  289. 
Willis,  Mr.,  2S7,  306. 
Willys,  Mr.,  299,  301. 
Windows    broken    at    the    church, 

21. 
Wingate,   Mr.,    148,    160,  206,  238, 

246,  274,  276,  277. 
Winslow,  Mr.,  244. 
Winslow,  Isaac,  322. 
Winthrop,  Adam,  47. 


Winthrop,  W.,  94,  98,  99,  119,  121, 

1-3,   124. 
Winthrop,  T.  L.,  137,  140,  222. 
Whitlaker,  Dr.,   18,    102,  103,   152, 

167,  168,  170,   171,  172,   176,  179, 

196. 
Whittredge,  Mr.,  315. 
Woods,  Mr.,  175,  321. 
Woodbury,  Dr.,  95,  98. 
Wooldridge,  Mr.,  296. 
Woodward,  Elijah,  shot,  38. 
Worcester  Courts  attacked,  257. 
Worthington,  Colo.,  154,  156,   175, 

215,  224,  290,  301. 
Wren,  Mr.,  239. 
Wright,  Mr.,  99,  258,  267,  283,  290, 

302,  327- 
Writs  issued  for  Barrister's  Degree, 

174. 
Wyatt,  Mr.,  219 
Wyer,  R.,  128 
Wyeth,  197. 

Young,  Mr.,  262. 


ACME 
BOOKBWffi  CO..  INC. 

MAY     fi     1987 

100  CAWibRIDGE  STREET 
CHARLESTOWIM,  MASS. 


